Is the Hippo scratching or what?

[DmitryB]

Today I noticed my Hippo (it's very small) what looks to me like occasionally scratching on a rock. (In the video it happens at the end.) I don't see any change in its behavior otherwise, it's active, it's eating. What do you guys think? What are we looking at here? I've seen it do this a few times and always on the same rock, which is right next to where it always hangs out.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Today I noticed my Hippo (it's very small) what looks to me like occasionally scratching on a rock. (In the video it happens at the end.) I don't see any change in its behavior otherwise, it's active, it's eating. What do you guys think? What are we looking at here? I've seen it do this a few times and always on the same rock, which is right next to where it always hangs out.

It’s scratching and also breathing a bit fast, could be gill flukes. Sometimes, this behavior is due to some material getting stuck on a gill filament, or if there is detritus in the water due to tank cleaning. If it persists for a few days in a row, it is probably a good idea to treat it for gill flukes. Praziquantel can be used for that:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dosing-praziquantel-pzq.1105700/

 

[DmitryB]

Is the Imagitarium brand ok? That's what the Petco nearest to me has.

https://www.petco.com/product/imagi...LZIuRL4VcAaJ26B1HyySwU8C2nfrM30BoCiLUQAvD_BwE

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Is the Imagitarium brand ok? That's what the Petco nearest to me has.

https://www.petco.com/product/imagitarium-parasite-remedy-4oz-2728468?cm_mmc=PSH|GGL|OMNI|CC|NA|NA|2jqyLsB9aZSXERgBnMUyri|ENT_PSH_GGL_OMNI_CC_NA_PETCO_NA_NA_09032025_COV_PUR-OMNI_PMAX-PLA-LIA_NA_FISH|0|0|0&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22487748708&gbraid=0AAAAAD97F16ottQDSDk2YlszTCJniI_ho&gclid=CjwKCAjw_pzWBhAkEiwAwDCi1QZKS7kKj2PNfzkbmYPmt3LZIuRL4VcAaJ26B1HyySwU8C2nfrM30BoCiLUQAvD_BwE

No - that is a herbal tonic, no proof it even works, IMO, it’s just snake oil.

You can buy Prazipro on Amazon.

 

[DmitryB]

Is the Imagitarium brand ok? That's what the Petco nearest to me has.

https://www.petco.com/product/imagitarium-parasite-remedy-4oz-2728468?cm_mmc=PSH|GGL|OMNI|CC|NA|NA|2jqyLsB9aZSXERgBnMUyri|ENT_PSH_GGL_OMNI_CC_NA_PETCO_NA_NA_09032025_COV_PUR-OMNI_PMAX-PLA-LIA_NA_FISH|0|0|0&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22487748708&gbraid=0AAAAAD97F16ottQDSDk2YlszTCJniI_ho&gclid=CjwKCAjw_pzWBhAkEiwAwDCi1QZKS7kKj2PNfzkbmYPmt3LZIuRL4VcAaJ26B1HyySwU8C2nfrM30BoCiLUQAvD_BwE

No - that is a herbal tonic, no proof it even works, IMO, it’s just snake oil.

You can buy Prazipro on Amazon.

Hikari should be ok?

 

[DmitryB]

Also to clarify, the dosing on the attached article is 2.2-2.5 mg per LITER, not gallon?

And do we include the sump in water calculation?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Today I noticed my Hippo (it's very small) what looks to me like occasionally scratching on a rock. (In the video it happens at the end.) I don't see any change in its behavior otherwise, it's active, it's eating. What do you guys think? What are we looking at here? I've seen it do this a few times and always on the same rock, which is right next to where it always hangs out.

cAN BE FLUKES OR SKIN IRRITATION WHICH THEY ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO. OFTEN WITH IRRITATIONS, OTHER FISH WILL SHOW NO SIGNS

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Also to clarify, the dosing on the attached article is 2.2-2.5 mg per LITER, not gallon?

And do we include the sump in water calculation?

Yes, 2.2 mg/l which is essentially ppm

Yes, include the volume of the sump, but deduct the amount displaced by any wrecks in the tank. If you don’t know the true net volume, use 85% of the rated volume.

 

[Uncle99]

Without any symptoms, he looks like he’s trying to show others that the territory is his.

Notice the “shake” is when someone else is close.

Mine does a similar action each time a newbie is added.

But always good to be ready, in case things go south.

 

[DmitryB]

I ordered the Fritz powder from Amazon. Supposed to arrive on Wednesday. Such a long wait!!

 

[DmitryB]

Without any symptoms, he looks like he’s trying to show others that the territory is his.

Notice the “shake” is when someone else is close.

Mine does a similar action each time a newbie is added.

But always good to be ready, in case things go south.

Fingers crossed he's just showing off!

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Fingers crossed he's just showing off!

Alot of the time flukes aren't super high stakes. Yes, treat them, but many fish never even show symptoms and have them for a long time. I wouldnt fret about the delivery time. Just monitor and trust when it arrives