Kole tang aggression

[Tonyf]

Ok, so I thought I’d update ask ask a bit more advice.
I have since released the anthia, and put kole tang in isolation box
Anthia is doing great
Tang has been in acclimation box for about a week and a half and just unsure how I should proceed
Any and all advice appreciated

 

[Aquaman102]

I'm 0 for 2 on Kole Tangs. Both of them were super aggressive to any new tank members to the point of death. I had to re-home both. If I do another one, it will be the last fish I add.

 

[4FordFamily]

Kole tangs can be VERY surly. Of the bristletooth, I actually think they're the nastiest. Some are model citizens, but those are generally with many other tangs present. As a standalone tang, or one of maybe two -- they can be particularly aggressive. This behavior does not generally improve. Adding more tangs (several) may help but you have space limitations I assume and this can obviously backfire. If it was me, I'd rehome it or remove it for a while and re-introduce. The reason I say rehome it is this behavior almost always worsens, it rarely improves and it worsens with age/size/dominance. Even if you re-introduce it later, it's going to be an ongoing battle with this fish's individual temperament, IMO/IME.

 

[Tonyf]

Not really what I wanted to hear but thank you for straight forward advice
It’s gonna be sad because he was tiny when I got him
Had him in quarantine for 6 weeks, medicated, fattened him up got him eating everything, and to top it off he was a Father’s Day present
Oh well live learn
Will start looking for a new home for him
Once again thanks to all. Just to give you an idea of what he looked like when I got him to now

 

[Thaxxx]

I've never had any problems with any Kole over the years.
I know every fish can act differently though.
No one in this thread that has had Kole tang rage has said what size tank they have. Maybe I've had luck because no tank I've had a Kole in has been smaller than a 200 gal.

 

[coralkurd]

Can you let me know how you caught the tang? I am having the same issue with mine. He has been super aggressive towards my yellow citrus wrasse. The wrasse come out the sand for a second and immediately dives back in because the kole chases him. He has been hiding for 2 weeks now

 

[shred5]

I had a kole tang do this to any new fish.
He could kill a fish in 5 minutes. The smaller the tank the worse they are and it can become all his territory.
Not even close to the worst of the tangs though.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Koles can be jerks but generally simmer down in a couple of days

 

[Bfragale]

I have a yellow eyed kole tang. When I added him my scopus and coral beauty were restlessly beating him up. Mirror did nothing. Couldn’t catch them without doing a lot of damage. Tried red lights. Nothing worked and couldn’t get any of them out.

in a panic I did an emergency 3 day total black out- after the 3 day complete black out - everyone got along fine- no aggression over last 4 months.

just wanted to share - maybe this can help someone else.