Considering a Tang...

Emerson · Dec 15, 2018

I've got a 18 month old 90 gal mixed reef with 7 fish; Yellow Coris Wrasse, McCorsker's Flasher Wrasse, 2 x Percula Clowns, Sailfin Blenny, Pink Stripe Goby, and a Mandarin. I actually like the mix of fish, I'm more about the corals, but considering adding a work horse tang to help a bit with occasional algae. I think I have it narrowed down to Tomini or Kole Tang. Any thoughts appreciated.

Jesterrace · Dec 15, 2018

The Blenny and the Tang might have issues (similar food source), but beyond that they should be okay. Kole and the Tomini are two of the best fits for Tangs in a 90 gallon. Thank You for doing your research and not being that guy who is wanting to put in a Blue Hippo, Sailfin, etc.

saltyhog · Dec 15, 2018

Either of those would be great for your tank. The tomini seems to be a little less common than Kole tangs and I love their look.

ca1ore · Dec 15, 2018

Depends on the kind of algae you're asking it to help control. Bristles are excellent grazers of film and slime algae but are much less likely to do much for hair algae. They’re also a good choice for a smaller tank. You could probably fit a yellow tang in a 90, at least for a while. Zebrasomas are more likely, though not guaranteed, to eat hair algae.

Tomini preferred over kole to me; I’ve just kept too many of the latter and they’ve become boring to me. My favorite bristle is the chevron, but that gets a bit big.

CindyKz · Dec 15, 2018

ca1ore said:
Depends on the kind of algae you're asking it to help control. Bristles are excellent grazers of film and slime algae but are much less likely to do much for hair algae. They’re also a good choice for a smaller tank. You could probably fit a yellow tang in a 90, at least for a while. Zebrasomas are more likely, though not guaranteed, to eat hair algae.

Tomini preferred over kole to me; I’ve just kept too many of the latter and they’ve become boring to me. My favorite bristle is the chevron, but that gets a bit big.

My Tomini is great for picking at film algae and sometimes he picks st the sand, but I've never seen him touch any other algae.

Sarah24! · Dec 15, 2018

Hello,

I have to agree with others that the flame fin aka Tomini tang is more rare than the kole tang. When I purchased mine it was the first time I had seen one which was over a year ago. (Not by much) but since then I have seen probably 100 kole tangs. It could easily be where I live, but even the local aquarium here doesn’t have one. But they have 5-6 kole tangs.

They are amazing at getting rid of alage, I have had very very little in my tank. It could be because of all my tangs or, because I also run a uv sterilizer. So could be both, who knows, I just have very little. With you have only a 90 gallon tank I agree with others that’s perfect size. Yes I have seen lots of 90s with hippo tangs (aka lfs), but still agree with others wouldn’t suggest it.