Agressive Kole Yellow Eye Tang

[Brian S]

Thanks for your time!

I have an agressive Kole Tang. He's slowly knocked off his tank mates - royal grama, yellow watchman gobie and a Melanurus Wrasse. I have two clowns left, they do a good job keeping to themselves - basically hiding 24/7. The Tang has had the run of the tank for maybe 9 months.

Once a jerk always a jerk - can he be rehabilitated?

I've seen posts about moving rock - i can't. I've seen posts about a mirror.

I'm looking for recommendations.

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Thanks for your time!

I have an agressive Kole Tang. He's slowly knocked off his tank mates - royal grama, yellow watchman gobie and a Melanurus Wrasse. I have two clowns left, they do a good job keeping to themselves - basically hiding 24/7. The Tang has had the run of the tank for maybe 9 months.

Once a jerk always a jerk - can he be rehabilitated?

I've seen posts about moving rock - i can't. I've seen posts about a mirror.

I'm looking for recommendations.

Are you looking to stage an intervention? Think troublemakers need to want rehabilitation for it to stick. Sounds like you might have an overly aggressive one... sorry for your losses

What size is your tank? Can you rearrange your aquascape? Do you have a sump or QT he can 'vacation' within to breakup his territorial nature? (may have to be repeated)

These two posts may help:

Kole tang aggression

So I’ve had a kole tang since December 1st. I quickly became attached and he didn’t cause any problems with the other fish. But a couple hours ago I added a flame angel to the display and he wasn’t happy at all. A couple seconds after the angel went in my kole started nipping at her and backing...

www.reef2reef.com

Tang Aggression - Understanding and Combating

Tang Aggression - Understanding and Combating So what's the deal with tangs? How do I keep them together? Why are they so aggressive and difficult to keep sometimes? It's a common discussion point. Some may dissent with what I have to share but I've never had less than three tanks running at a...

www.reef2reef.com

If it helps, my different type of tangs are nicknamed Death Dealers. Mirrors and acclimation boxes are to ease the meet and greet. My sailfin gets so worked up over mirror that I'd never leave one long term - he truly is out to K.I.L.L. his reflection

 

[Waters]

I had the same issue with a Kole Tang....finally removed him. In my experience, once they start killing fish, there isn't much you can do.

 

[SDK]

Also curious as to what size tank you have...

My Kole Tang is hard on new arrivals, but then seems to get used to them over the course of a few days. It also fiercely defends a small cave overhang and about 12" out from the opening in any direction. The other fish know to avoid that area in my tank.

 

[ScottR]

IME, tangs all have a mind of their own. Depends on tank mates, size of tang, size of tank, time of introduction to tank, etc. My tangs each have their own fish they bully. While one tang goes after a blenny, the next will a fox face. Not easy, but ideally, is to remove the tang for awhile to a QT and try to “reset” it by adding it back in.