Hippo tang color change

Tarasco · 05-11-2004, 12:45 PM

So occasionally, for no apparent reason, my hippo tang will change the black on his side to a greyish color. At first I assumed it was a fear instinct to try and change color, but he does it at random times and withoout provocation. I'm not sure what the deal is.

The only fish that he does not seem to completely get along with is my long nosed butterfly. The tang will occassionally chase the butterfly around, but there is no color change associated with this behavior. Does anyone else have a hippo that does this? Any idea why, and if it is stressed, what I can do about it?

Cougra · 05-11-2004, 03:45 PM

I don't have a hippo tang, but most fish change colouration do to stress of some sort, some even have sleep mode colours as well. Normally when colours appear washed out I would look for some sort of stressor, perhaps something as simple as too much activity in his area of the tank, no food when he wants it, not enough room to swim for his liking or boredom.

If he is stressed the only thing you can do is find out what's stressing him and work with that. Check water paramaters to see if they are balanced, and make sure his diet is adequate.

05-11-2004, 12:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tarasco Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 724 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hippo tang color change So occasionally, for no apparent reason, my hippo tang will change the black on his side to a greyish color. At first I assumed it was a fear instinct to try and change color, but he does it at random times and withoout provocation. I'm not sure what the deal is. The only fish that he does not seem to completely get along with is my long nosed butterfly. The tang will occassionally chase the butterfly around, but there is no color change associated with this behavior. Does anyone else have a hippo that does this? Any idea why, and if it is stressed, what I can do about it? __________________ Mike "I saw what the governor makes. That's like four hands of blackjack." -- Charles Barkley on why he wasn't seriously considering becoming the Governor of Alabama

05-11-2004, 03:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cougra Dragon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 2,216 View Gallery Karma Komment	I don't have a hippo tang, but most fish change colouration do to stress of some sort, some even have sleep mode colours as well. Normally when colours appear washed out I would look for some sort of stressor, perhaps something as simple as too much activity in his area of the tank, no food when he wants it, not enough room to swim for his liking or boredom. If he is stressed the only thing you can do is find out what's stressing him and work with that. Check water paramaters to see if they are balanced, and make sure his diet is adequate. __________________ Michelle Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done!

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