Hippo tang not eating. Help

[Paul B]

Yes, kick yourself. :eek:

 

[ca1ore]

It's frequently overlooked/misunderstood, but the biggest benefit QT can provide a new fish is the opportunity to 'learn' to eat what you feed in the absence of established competition. I never move a fish from QT to DT until two thing are true: it's observably disease free and it's eating with enthusiasm. If a fish hasn't started eating in QT, the odds are it won't in the DT either. Depending upon it's initial condition (that you describe it as 'fat' is a good sign; sunken belly not a problem, weight loss behind the head/neck is bad), I've had plenty of fish refuse to eat for two weeks, yet end up hale and hearty in my tank. It's also a good idea to hold off on meds until a fish is eating. If I were you, I'd put it back into med-free QT and see if you can get it interested in food (definitely do not do a FW dip). Keep in mind that the hippo is primarily a water column planktivore. They will usually eat nori, but often not as a first choice. Also putting a powerhead in the QT tank can help to trigger feeding response if a fish thinks it's moving.

 

[cane]

It's frequently overlooked/misunderstood, but the biggest benefit QT can provide a new fish is the opportunity to 'learn' to eat what you feed in the absence of established competition. I never move a fish from QT to DT until two thing are true: it's observably disease free and it's eating with enthusiasm. If a fish hasn't started eating in QT, the odds are it won't in the DT either. Depending upon it's initial condition (that you describe it as 'fat' is a good sign; sunken belly not a problem, weight loss behind the head/neck is bad), I've had plenty of fish refuse to eat for two weeks, yet end up hale and hearty in my tank. It's also a good idea to hold off on meds until a fish is eating. If I were you, I'd put it back into med-free QT and see if you can get it interested in food (definitely do not do a FW dip). Keep in mind that the hippo is primarily a water column planktivore. They will usually eat nori, but often not as a first choice. Also putting a powerhead in the QT tank can help to trigger feeding response if a fish thinks it's moving.

Thanks for the advice

 

[norfolkgarden]

When we had tangs the purple seaweed from 2 fishes was like crack.
I would use red or green or brown and the fish would look at me like I was an idiot for wasting their time.
Might help. Hope it makes it. They are awesome fish.
Had to give ours away as they outgrew the 75 gallon tank.

 

[cane]

Still alive but I have yet to see him eat.

 

[Piranhapat]

Don't panic yet. I had my Blue Line Angelfish without eating for 59 days. I saw him eat when I got him. So I knew he ate and he was very healthy. I let him settle in than I gave him a freshwater bath. After a other 2 weeks I repeated it. I believe one reason a fish not eating something inside is bothering his gills or mouth. Sure enough he started eating live black worms. Stick with one food because he might eat one and than have a taste for that one. Now their are fish that just don't eat. Those are the ones that for some reason are to far gone or weak. Sounds like your fish was healthy and not eating. If his still swimming and moving around that's a good sign. My opinion the fish should be alone.