Looking for opinions

[littlefoxx]

Yall know my beef with hippo tangs. But dang are they something. Considering a biota hippo. Anyone have experience with those?

Are they hardier as far as getting ich?

Also have the following tangs:
Sohal
Sailfin
Purple
Unicorn

The unicorn is the least aggressive the others can be nasty to new fish.

Thoughts?

 

[Ks4726]

1. Why add a small biota hippo tang to that aggressive tang gang thay already established?
2. And don't you have a grouper thats eaten a fish or two? Biota fish are small, why even risk it?

 

[littlefoxx]

1. Why add a small biota hippo tang to that aggressive tang gang thay already established?
2. And don't you have a grouper thats eaten a fish or two? Biota fish are small, why even risk it?

Yes for sure, I forgot to add that I would grow it out to a couple inches before adding it because of the grouper. And the tangs are different than the hippo, was wondering if it was possible is all. Im not going to do so the more I think about it, I was most concerned about the sohal going ballistic if the hippo was too similar to him to even attempt or if it would be possible since the hippo isnt a Acanthurus tang

 

[BryanM]

So I am a fan of biota fish, generally wouldn't hesitate, but they are small.

I have a blue hippo, and it is mellow, and has yet to get sick.... knock on wood.

I think I'd be looking for pre QT'd fish that are bigger for you.

 

[BryanM]

As for the sohal, I think you have to assess it's aggressiveness. I think it is possible.

Noteworthy for me, very recently I've added a couple different angels, and curtailed my sailfin's bullying just by feeding more.

 

[littlefoxx]

So I am a fan of biota fish, generally wouldn't hesitate, but they are small.

I have a blue hippo, and it is mellow, and has yet to get sick.... knock on wood.

I think I'd be looking for pre QT'd fish that are bigger for you.

Fair which is why I asked! Im not willing to try another wild caught hippo. I was more tossing the idea of a biota one around because they are really awesome fish (outside the I get every illness under the sun and give it to everyone) aspect of them lol. Im going to pass at this point as one of my hippos WAS pre QT’d little tank crasher.

 

[littlefoxx]

As for the sohal, I think you have to assess it's aggressiveness. I think it is possible.

Noteworthy for me, very recently I've added a couple different angels, and curtailed my sailfin's bullying just by feeding more.

Yeah I do feed them a good amount and they dont bully each other, just my purple and sailfin squabble over one particular cave (never mind its a huge tank and there are so many other caves they both want THAT ONE cave)

 

[BryanM]

Yeah I do feed them a good amount and they dont bully each other, just my purple and sailfin squabble over one particular cave (never mind its a huge tank and there are so many other caves they both want THAT ONE cave)

Yeah, and you have plenty of experience. If you're willing to grow the biota hippo, I think it will work quite well actually.

bred/aquacultered fish is what I try to stock with, ORA bred as well, and so far, without any QT, I've been doing very well.

My current stock list: Sailfin, Hippo, 3 biota yellows, Tomini, gold flake angel, red flame angel, 6 line wrasse, lawnmower blenny.

I am toying with the idea of adding a purple. If I do it will likely be the last fish.

So far I'm getting away with the two angels.

 

[BryanM]

Because I'm an instigator.....

 

[littlefoxx]

Yeah, and you have plenty of experience. If you're willing to grow the biota hippo, I think it will work quite well actually.

bred/aquacultered fish is what I try to stock with, ORA bred as well, and so far, without any QT, I've been doing very well.

My current stock list: Sailfin, Hippo, 3 biota yellows, Tomini, gold flake angel, red flame angel, 6 line wrasse, lawnmower blenny.

I am toying with the idea of adding a purple. If I do it will likely be the last fish.

So far I'm getting away with the two angels.

Huh interesting. I might seriously think about it, i figured the answer would be no; just figured it would be worth an ask in case anyone had ideas like you did would have to grow the little guy out first though until it was a few inches.

 

[Ks4726]

Yes for sure, I forgot to add that I would grow it out to a couple inches before adding it because of the grouper. And the tangs are different than the hippo, was wondering if it was possible is all. Im not going to do so the more I think about it, I was most concerned about the sohal going ballistic if the hippo was too similar to him to even attempt or if it would be possible since the hippo isnt a Acanthurus tang

Think your making the right choice passing. It would take years to grow out a hippo. You already know that anything you add after with that grouper that could fit in its mouth "could" be food. They have huge mouths and can ingest fish bigger than their mouths. As far as the other tangs that's just a crap shoot. No way to tell what would happen.

Far as the ich question, biota fish are raised in sterile situations. I'd assume a wild caught specimen would be more disease resistant . I have no proof of this theory though.

 

[littlefoxx]

Think your making the right choice passing. It would take years to grow out a hippo. You already know that anything you add after with that grouper that could fit in its mouth "could" be food. They have huge mouths and can ingest fish bigger than their mouths. As far as the other tangs that's just a crap shoot. No way to tell what would happen.

Far as the ich question, biota fish are raised in sterile situations. I'd assume a wild caught specimen would be more disease resistant . I have no proof of this theory though.

Ah okay. And you think it would take years to grow a little hippo out?? If thats the case then its a hell nah, I was thinking one would grow fast from that small of a size.

 

[littlefoxx]

Yeah thinking about it more Im probably going to pass. I think its just that part of me who wants a blue hippo because they are super pretty and pretty much everyone in the hobby wants to scratch that itch was for sure an impulse but logically Im not sure it would work out. Thanks guys!

 

[littlefoxx]

Thank you @BryanM for feeding my temptation but I think logic is going to win this one

 

[Ks4726]

Ah okay. And you think it would take years to grow a little hippo out?? If thats the case then its a hell nah, I was thinking one would grow fast from that small of a size.

I have 2. One ive had for like 6 years, got it at 3 now it's 9 inches. My second ive had for about 3 years. Got it at 2 and now it's 5 inches.

 

[BryanM]

Thank you @BryanM for feeding my temptation but I think logic is going to win this one

All good.

Keep an eye out for someone that needs to re-home one beucase they put it in a 90!... See, I'm still not DONE!

 

[littlefoxx]

I have 2. One ive had for like 6 years, got it at 3 now it's 9 inches. My second ive had for about 3 years. Got it at 2 and now it's 5 inches.

Ah interesting. I just figured they grew faster than that!

 

[littlefoxx]

All good.

Keep an eye out for someone that needs to re-home one beucase they put it in a 90!... See, I'm still not DONE!

Lol theres a ton of those posts on the FB groups!

 

[littlefoxx]

I have 2. One ive had for like 6 years, got it at 3 now it's 9 inches. My second ive had for about 3 years. Got it at 2 and now it's 5 inches.

Do you have any groupers? I know you have triggers but waant sure if you had groupers too. I love mine, shes my little monster

 

[Ks4726]

Ah interesting. I just figured they grew faster than that!

Ive had multiple hippps through the years , id say 1 or 2 inch growth a year fish. Some get more bold in adulthood but they are still shy fish overall compared other tangs. I have 2 hippos, 1 clown tang, 1 gold rim, 1 yellow and 1 orange shoulder tang between my two tanks. My orange shoulder tang is a faster grower. I had a 3 or 4 inch a year on that fish, my is like 11 inches at this point.