Putting it to a vote

[greenhorn reefer]

Kole tang or Tomini tang? Please give a reason why you would vote one way or the other. A little background, I'm looking for a small tang to tidy up my tank.

 

[greenhorn reefer]

Bump

 

[Flippers4pups]

I've had koles and I currently have a Tomini. They are both great fish. My Tomini eats from my hands!

 

[Xanthurum]

I like an underdog story so my vote is for a Kole. I find them very beautiful and you can't beat the price.

 

[4FordFamily]

Kole - typically less aggressive, cheaper, and IMO more striking.

 

[greenhorn reefer]

Who is a better grazer? Also, I hear that some Tomini like eating other fish's waste, talk about single stream recycling!

 

[mort]

Who is a better grazer? Also, I hear that some Tomini like eating other fish's waste, talk about single stream recycling!

Most tangs are slightly coprophagus (eats poo basically and in particular those of other herbivores as they poorly digest their food).
In terms of which species both are very similar but Tomini are slightly more aggressive ime. I like the subtle beauty of the kole but you see the flash of the Tomini from a long way away.

 

[Maritimer]

I chose the kole for my tank, because at the time, when I was looking at a tomini, all I could see was a grey fish with orange accents, while the kole offered deep purples and golden accents with pinstriping.

Now, I see the elegance of the tomini fins and the subtle patterns the adults develop on their face and body, I see the white, flowing tail.

Not much help, but I like both fish - though I've only ever kept the kole.

~Bruce

 

[greenhorn reefer]

Most tangs are slightly coprophagus (eats poo basically and in particular those of other herbivores as they poorly digest their food).
In terms of which species both are very similar but Tomini are slightly more aggressive ime. I like the subtle beauty of the kole but you see the flash of the Tomini from a long way away.

Does this aggression apply to fish who are not herbivores? And do you think a smaller tang is better for a tank with mostly juvenile fish?

 

[greenhorn reefer]

Does this aggression apply to fish who are not herbivores? And do you think a smaller tang is better for a tank with mostly juvenile fish?

To be clear, I mean buying the fish as a 2" juvenile as apposed to a larger adult.

 

[greenhorn reefer]

I chose the kole for my tank, because at the time, when I was looking at a tomini, all I could see was a grey fish with orange accents, while the kole offered deep purples and golden accents with pinstriping.

Now, I see the elegance of the tomini fins and the subtle patterns the adults develop on their face and body, I see the white, flowing tail.

Not much help, but I like both fish - though I've only ever kept the kole.

~Bruce

The kole I am considering looks mostly white and pink, will it appear purple under blue LEDs?

 

[Maritimer]

White and pink is ... an unusual color for a kole tang.

Their normal color ranges from deep, rich browns through darker purples and occasionally blues, with orange highlighting in their fins and gold highlights around their eyes, all set off by a thin pattern of paler pinstriping.

Do you have a photo of the white and pink kole tang available?

~Bruce

 

[greenhorn reefer]

White and pink is ... an unusual color for a kole tang.

Their normal color ranges from deep, rich browns through darker purples and occasionally blues, with orange highlighting in their fins and gold highlights around their eyes, all set off by a thin pattern of paler pinstriping.

Do you have a photo of the white and pink kole tang available?

~Bruce

I'll grab a pic later today. I may just be filling in memory gaps with what I thought I saw but I am almost positive that it was those colors. I remember thinking that most koles I've seen were an ugly brown color.

 

[ciscomania]

how big is the tank?

 

[greenhorn reefer]

how big is the tank?

What's your vote?

 

[Xanthurum]

Being from the same Genus they are both the same as far as grazing goes. Ctenochaetus are arguably the best grazers of all the tangs.

 

[eatbreakfast]

My preference is the kole, soley based on looks.

Both are comparable algae eaters and detrivores.

 

[mtraylor]

Kole tangs are on sale at liveaquaria

 

[Flippers4pups]

As with any tang from the same genius, there can be some that are aggressive and others not. Depends on the fish and it's tank and tank mates. Aggression with tangs usually become apparent towards others largely based on food and its territory to eat.

My experience with the bristle tooth is the same as others, some play nice, while others not so much, based on territory/food.

My Tomini is the only tang in my 125 and has no other algae/herbivore to compete with. Thus is a big baby and allows me to introduce other fish into the tank, that are do not compete with it for food with no problems.

Your mileage may vary, but both Kole and Tomini's are excellent a choice.

 

[JOKER]

I vote white tail bristletooth. I know it wasn't one of the choices, but it is beautiful. All bristletooth are good fish, and seem pretty docile unless several are present. From the white and pink color you may be looking at square tail. A lavender tang is also a smaller tang that may work for you