Can u Id this fish?

[jonas helsted]

Sav this in a public aquarium but cant find the fish. Guess its in the tang family?

 

[cloak]

Sohal tang.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+383&pcatid=383

 

[deerhunter06]

sohal tang

 

[Salty1962]

Sohal Tang, needs allot of tank space and is aggressive.

 

[4FordFamily]

IMO sohal tang are misunderstood. Powder blue tangs are literally ten times as aggressive in my experience. Sohal are not a timid tang by any means but all of those I have had or have observed have been moderately aggressive. My existing Sohal is actually more similar in temperament to a naso tang unless messed with. Never starts fights, but will finish them, quickly and without permanent grudge or prejudice. A powder blue tang will remember a grudge for months maybe longer, and will not ever let up in many cases. I've seen some Achilles tangs do this as well but far fewer than powder blues.

I think the stories of evil sohals stem from one or two stories told on various forums over the years by hundreds of people as if they were actual accounts, and thus repeated by many at LFS that frequent these forums.

Sorry for the side note - not a good "community" fish but if housed with several tangs (to spread aggression) and other semi-aggressive fish and you have plenty of room (180+) they're a great addition. Lots of personality and very hardy (for an acanthurus tang).

 

[TUSI]

+1

 

[Salty1962]

The one I had in a 90G was a holy terror, chased my fish around all of the time. That was my experience.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Definitely a sohal, but in my personal experience they are one of the most aggressive tangs, more so than powder blues. They and clown tangs are the worst offenders, in any tanks I have had them in. The aggression is usually focused on other tangs, especially those added after them and in their genus, but it can be manageable in large tanks, with a lot of flow, and using an acclimation box to introduce new additions.

 

[jonas helsted]

Thanks lot for the answer make me able to do some reading up on it. And can see If i where to introduce it its gonna be the Last fish to the tank then.

Ill Wait maybe skip it since it Will Also out growth My 105 g

 

[4FordFamily]

The one I had in a 90G was a holy terror, chased my fish around all of the time. That was my experience.

Perhaps the tank size contributed they do like their space

 

[4FordFamily]

Definitely a sohal, but in my personal experience they are one of the most aggressive tangs, more so than powder blues. They and clown tangs are the worst offenders, in any tanks I have had them in. The aggression is usually focused on other tangs, especially those added after them and in their genus, but it can be manageable in large tanks, with a lot of flow, and using an acclimation box to introduce new additions.

I've heard this but every time I've added tangs to an existing sohal in my tank, or local reefer club, the sohals were not too bad. PBT are 50/50 satan it seems though. I know this is anecdotal but I think years if reverberating stories have set expectations and shaped how people interpret and view these guys. First impressions are everything. IMO clown tangs are slightly more aggressive than sohal.

:shrug:

 

[4FordFamily]

Thanks lot for the answer make me able to do some reading up on it. And can see If i where to introduce it its gonna be the Last fish to the tank then.

Ill Wait maybe skip it since it Will Also out growth My 105 g

I do not recommend a sohal in a 105. Aggression and crowding issues are all but certain.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I've heard this but every time I've added tangs to an existing sohal in my tank, or local reefer club, the sohals were not too bad. PBT are 50/50 satan it seems though. I know this is anecdotal but I think years if reverberating stories have set expectations and shaped how people interpret and view these guys. First impressions are everything. IMO clown tangs are slightly more aggressive than sohal.

:shrug:

I had a customer with one in a custom 400g with about ten other tangs. The sohal is definitely the boss, chasing everuone a little, so it is manageable. Then a powder blue was added, while still with the powder blue in the acclimation box, the sohal went nuts, aggressively cornering any other tang, nearly killing an orange shoulder and a mimic. The powder blue meanwhile was added to another tank, and although the biggest fish in his new tank has allowed other tangs in his tank, showde he's the boss, then ignored them.

In another tank, a 10ft tank, 850g, there are numerous tangs, a school of 7 yellows, powder blue, clown, purple, mimic, convict, and sohal. The sohal, though added after most of these other tangs, is the boss, not terrible aggression, but definitely makes his 'moves' toward the other tangs, but once they avoid him he moves on to his next target.

Everything I have seen in person confirms the reports of sohal aggression.

 

[4FordFamily]

I had a customer with one in a custom 400g with about ten other tangs. The sohal is definitely the boss, chasing everuone a little, so it is manageable. Then a powder blue was added, while still with the powder blue in the acclimation box, the sohal went nuts, aggressively cornering any other tang, nearly killing an orange shoulder and a mimic. The powder blue meanwhile was added to another tank, and although the biggest fish in his new tank has allowed other tangs in his tank, showde he's the boss, then ignored them.

In another tank, a 10ft tank, 850g, there are numerous tangs, a school of 7 yellows, powder blue, clown, purple, mimic, convict, and sohal. The sohal, though added after most of these other tangs, is the boss, not terrible aggression, but definitely makes his 'moves' toward the other tangs, but once they avoid him he moves on to his next target.

Everything I have seen in person confirms the reports of sohal aggression.

I guess the difference between the sohal and a powder blue is one of actual killing. A PBT will relentlessly stab repeatedly a fish and single it out and not forgive or forget.

Sohal may "flex" but that's pretty common in most tangs anyway. I do admit my sohal will finish fights if someone challenges him, he takes no crap.

These stories of them being as bad as clown triggers are over dramatic IMO

 

[tswanso3]

I love Sohal tangs, one of my favorite fish. I have tried 2 of these in the past and had to return both of them (125 gallon tank). I currently have a clown tang and it is no where near as aggressive as I've seen Sohals. I really think with any tang it is the individual fish's personality. I have a 10 foot, 475 gallon tank I will be setting up in the next couple months and I am hoping I can add a small Sohal as the last fish.