Blue Hippo tang messing with clam

[CristianD]

so all of the sudden my hippo tang has been taking my small clam (~2 1/2-3 in) for a joy ride then dropping it around my tank. he doesn't seem to be picking at it. not sure why he started doing this. I seems like he just doesn't like it around anymore. I've had it in the tank for about a month and it's been doing fine. Now i've got this problem. Anybody have any ideas why or has anybody had this happen to them. I really don't wanna lose the clam nor do i wanna get rid of my hippo tang. had him for 3 years. Thanks for any input!

 

[Mike389]

The same thing happened to me but it was not a clam it was a snail... He picks it up then drops it

 

[Mike389]

Get him something else to play with lol

 

[CristianD]

hahah he has plenty of friends lol. i feed him enough and give him nori a few times a week. i thought that maybe he's hungry and more aggressive but doubt that's the case

 

[Mike389]

It's just a habit these fish form.. At least in my experience because theres no bennifit in picking up something then dropping it

 

[CristianD]

i'm just curious why he started doing this out of nowhere. in the 3 years i've had him i've never had a problem with him. never seen him mess with snails or rocks or anything in the tank for that matter. I feel like there's always something in this hobby. never smooth sailing :/

 

[skene]

she's redecorating.

 

[NL146]

Maybe algae on the shell

 

[CristianD]

Maybe algae on the shell

that's what i thought too. my tank is pretty clean and no visible algae on it. maybe very small amounts

 

[Tonyscoots84]

she wants to have some fun.

 

[sunny]

that's what i thought too. my tank is pretty clean and no visible algae on it. maybe very small amounts

There is algae that you do not see. It could be just a thin film and she is picking at it. If your tank is clean, a part of the reason is the fish that keeps grazing/picking/looking for algae

 

[Reef Fixations]

Tangs occasioinally go rogue and exhibit behaviors that are not typical once in a while.

I've heard of a tang shredding a huge Elegance to shreds, yellow tangs are known for eating cleaner shrimp and I've heard of another that destroyed a euphillia.

If it isn't algae like Sunny pointed out, it could just be an anomole but it does happen.

 

[felix tesler]

yea all tangs are different its the character of the fish hippo tangs are more playfull in the wild they will swim right up to you and eat right out of your hand it also sounds like you got a female and she is redecorating her home when they sleep they usually sleep in the same spot so if you add something new to the tank if she doesent like it she will move it.

 

[CristianD]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll try and move the clam in a spot where she won't mind. Hopefully it'll be fine. Just out of curiosity. How can u tell if it's a male or female with hippo tangs

 

[charliethetuna88]

My Hippo killed my clams also relentless picking ,and I blamed the pygmy angel aT first

 

[jf2381]

My hippo was going after my clam. I had to move the clam to another tank because it was ripping the mantle.

 

[CristianD]

Clams gone came home today and nowhere to be found. Searched behind rocks and coral and couldn't find anything. Didn't wanna move everything around. Hopefully it's fine somewhere and I'll find it when it's grown lol. Otherwise maybe clam heaven :/

 

[Mike389]

keep looking its probably behind your rock work mayb the hippo will leave it alone now