Kole Tang Aggression

kkgaskin90 · Sep 15, 2015

I added a trio of Anthias to my DT and my Kole Tang is not being a welcoming host. The first day he chased one in to the rocks damaging her eye and I'm worried I will lose her. I put a mirror on the opposite side of the tank and that has kept him occupied, but how long do I give them to "settle in" and play nice, or will he always be a jerk?

clsbgirl · Sep 15, 2015

Mine is acting the same way, just killed my lawnmower blenny. When I bought the fish they told me they were very peaceful, but since I got him he loves to push his weight around.

kkgaskin90 · Sep 15, 2015

I just caught him and taking him for store credit. I watched him decimate a hermit crab, and he won't let the injured Anthias out to eat. Maybe I'll try again with a small one as the very last thing added, but this guy had to go

Cleo642 · Sep 15, 2015

Wow, thanks for the warnings. Tangs should be the last fish added I guess.

Humblefish · Sep 16, 2015

Some Koles are nice, some are real jerks. Seems to be luck of the draw. A Blue Spot is typically a much nicer, albeit less attractive, Ctenochaetus tang. Doesn't it always seem to be that way?

kkgaskin90 · Sep 17, 2015

Humblefish said:
Some Koles are nice, some are real jerks. Seems to be luck of the draw. A Blue Spot is typically a much nicer, albeit less attractive, Ctenochaetus tang. Doesn't it always seem to be that way?

Yes, of course! I'm completely lost on my stock list now. It shouldn't be this hard!

Cleo642 · Sep 17, 2015

A Tomini tang.

melypr1985 · Sep 17, 2015

Mine is super nice and was definitely not the last one in. I guess I got lucky on mine

barrelrunner3 · Sep 17, 2015

I have a kole tang he has never bothered anyone. I also have a Saddleback clown, foxface, cleaner wrasse, starry blenny and scooter blenny. They are all buddy's. They stay huddled together alot. I get the feeling they are talking about me sometimes.. lol

Humblefish · Sep 17, 2015

barrelrunner3 said:
I get the feeling they are talking about me sometimes.. lol

(Disclaimer: I'm stealing this from someone else on here.) What you need to do is eat a fish patty in front of them every now & then. Show them who's in charge. Otherwise they will just see you as their janitor.

Cleo642 · Sep 17, 2015

Humblefish said:
(Disclaimer: I'm stealing this from someone else on here.) What you need to do is eat a fish patty in front of them every now & then. Show them who's in charge. Otherwise they will just see you as their janitor.

Lol! Your too funny. Love you Humblefish!

shred5 · Sep 18, 2015

What size tank's? The smaller the tank the more aggressive they will be usually. They also tend to be more aggressive with new fish.

barrelrunner3 · Sep 18, 2015

Humblefish said:
(Disclaimer: I'm stealing this from someone else on here.) What you need to do is eat a fish patty in front of them every now & then. Show them who's in charge. Otherwise they will just see you as their janitor.

lol that is a great idea!! My computer desk is next to my tank and if I am sitting there they all gather as close as they can to me..they are so funny..

Zechirian · Sep 18, 2015

I too had a kole tang once and never again, boy was that fish a mean mean mean little guy, meaner than my powder blue at the time. When I started again 12 years later I went with a Tomini tang instead and couldn't be happier.

kkgaskin90 · Sep 18, 2015

shred5 said:
What size tank's? The smaller the tank the more aggressive they will be usually. They also tend to be more aggressive with new fish.

75g

shred5 · Sep 18, 2015

kkgaskin90 said:
75g

That is part of the reason.. Not being a tang police but some tangs are ok in smaller tank and can be very happy but the other fish are not. I have a kole in a 75 too.. He is ok with certain fish but he has a large territory and will be violent with any fish in that area. I have ignitus anthias and just for fun he bull rushes them.. They are used to him bull rushing them and side step him now and stay ways from his territory. Every once in a while I see one forget and tear out of there.

He used to harass my clownfish in my crispa anemone and would get stung all the time. Now they are in the carpet and he leaves them alone because it would eat him.