Help pick a tang

A

All Seas

New member
Hey guys,

I am looking to get a tang or two in my mixed reef. Right now it's a 90 gallon LPS with a single clown fish. We are still a bit unsure of the rest of our stock lost but definitely know we want a tang or two. Here is what we are considering:

Purple tang
Yellow tang
Yellow eye kole tang

We would really like to be able to get the yellow and one of the other two. Is this possible with our tank size? Or should we stick to one?
 
My pick would be the yellow eye kole tang as they tend to be more peaceful, great looking fish, and good personality. Unless that clown you have is a more aggressive clown like a maroon then I'd get the yellow. But I wouldn't add more then one tang in that size tank. A kole tang and a one spot fox face would be a great combination.
 
I would stick with one in that size tank. All three of yours are good choices for the size tank though. I would also go with the Kole if you are looking for something that will get along with other fish, but I would probably still add him last, unless you plan on a small angel, and that would depend on which angel you chose.
 
The Kole is really the only safe bet for your tank. You tank is really too small for the Purple. The Yellow will be OK for a while where as the Kole should be fine for most if not all it's life in a tank your size.
 
slief said:
the kole is really the only safe bet for your tank. You tank is really too small for the purple. The yellow will be ok for a while where as the kole should be fine for most if not all it's life in a tank your size.
Click to expand...

+1
 
i'd also go with a kole tang. they really are gorgeous fish and the one i have is very peaceful. i've added several fish to my 75g since he's been in it without a single problem.
 
The purple & yellow have snout mouths and the Kole is bristle tooth mouth. So they consume different algaes and have slightly different diets. I think the bristle tooth mouth is a more valuable tool for the reef tank. And I am partial to the Chevron's over the Kole.

But I am also spoiled and have 14 tangs :)

Dave B
 
What's your budget? A LFS by me had white tailed bristletooth tangs. Super cool and different. They get similarly sized to Koles. Downside...even juveniles are $150 of more.
 
or a tomini tang! I had a kole that didnt make it thru quarantine, so I found a super healthy tomini and added him to my 150. the tomini and my yellow are best buds
 
Any other opinions? I personally love the purple tang and was really hoping to get one with a yellow tang.

If thats not an option, and the purple would be the only tang in the tank, do I still need to add him last? Or can I add a some rabbit fish and gobs later on?
 
are you set on a purple tang because of it's color? if so, you really should look at the kole tang. many pics you see (including the one on LA) does NOT do this fish justice. when i got mine, his coloring was a bit dull but after a couple of days in qt, he colored right up. this is a recent pic and shows his true coloring.
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/TANK/DSC_0464_zps8ed1774b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/TANK/DSC_0464_zps8ed1774b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC_0464_zps8ed1774b.jpg"/></a>

so, if you're after that deep blue/purple color, a kole tang would fit your needs and it would be a better choice than another tang that really needs a bigger tank.
 
My aunt & uncle have a kole and yellow in their 90g reef, and they *do* squabble from time to time, but for the most part get along. The kole would probably prove to be the least aggressive, smallest, and most effective at removing pesky algae that may appear. Personally, my favorite of those three (and one of my favorite tang species), would be the purple. The purple would do just fine in the 90g, as they don't get massive, aren't spastic swimmers, and have a relatively slow growth rate, but they are easily the most aggressive of those 3 listed, so keep that in mind. All 3 would make fine additions, and all three are about the same as far as hardiness goes. If you like the yellow the best, I would stick with him :spin1:
 
maybe this one will work...
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/TANK/brain_zps59d4e400.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/TANK/brain_zps59d4e400.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo brain_zps59d4e400.jpg"/></a>

not the brightest light on the tree...he was trying to get to the mysis that was floating around under the dome. i was feeding the brain coral. LOL
 
All Seas said:
Any other opinions? I personally love the purple tang and was really hoping to get one with a yellow tang.

If thats not an option, and the purple would be the only tang in the tank, do I still need to add him last? Or can I add a some rabbit fish and gobs later on?
Click to expand...

Zebrasoma spp. tangs can be real jerks. i have a yellow tang in my 75, and he's none too friendly with other surgeonfish. in fact, he killed my yellow eyed kole tang, after months of happily living together.

my vote would be for the kole tang, as the others have said. much more relaxed, and size appropriate for the 90. if you must get the yellow/purple, i would definitely stick to one of them. in that size tank, i would very much be expecting aggression as they grew.

the only note about the kole tang is that it is common for them to bully algae blennies. for example i have a lawnmower blenny, Salarias fasciatus, and when my kole was with me, he would chase the lawnmower in to the rocks any time he saw him out. i've heard other reports of similar actions. just something to consider.
 
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