Kole Tang and Purple Tang compatibility

[_Mackus_]

I've stumbled across an opportunity to add a purple tang to my tank for a fantastic price. I think I may have some compatibility issues though, so wanted to check in and get some opinions before potentially making a mistake. Everyone in my tank is currently very peaceful and I'd like to keep it that way, and the info from the tang sticky says the purple can be troublesome. My tank is also right at the minimum size that the sticky says is acceptable for a purple.

Tank: 125 gal (5 foot) mixed reef

Stock (from most recent addition to oldest resident): 1 kole tang, 1 yellow foxface, 1 flame angel, 1 blue-green chromis, 2 oscellaris clowns

Want-to-add over next 4-6 months: 2 banggai cardinals, 2-4 peaceful flasher/fairy wrasses

I could alter or reduce my wish list if that raises some compatibility issues. From using the search function, it sounds like some people have said that a kole and purple can co-exist together, but just wanted to get a little bit of personalized advice based on my parameters. Thanks!

 

[aandfsoccr04]

If you add the purple tang now, the rest of the fish that you plan to add will more than likely be killed upon introduction. The purple tang is overly aggressive and may work or may not. If you want a peaceful tank though without the chasing, I'd pass on the purple tang.

 

[BfishLpond78]

Funny to stumble across this...I also came across a killer deal on a purple tang...picked it up and added it to the tank with no issues of other fish...then a week later another person was giving away a kole tang...so of course picked it up.

So what I was told to do was to add the kole and then did lights out out for the evening...since the purple was in there for a week. There was a day or two of chasing but its been fine ever since...but the purple tang should def be a last addition...

A suggestion would be if you can...QT the tang for awhile and add the tang when your stocking is complete. Just a thought...good luck!!!

sent from never never land...

 

[_Mackus_]

When I add new fish, I typically do a tank-transfer method for 2 weeks in 5 gallon buckets to rid them of any possible ich, and then QT for about 4 weeks.

I suppose I could get the purple, do the tank transfer, and then get him set up in the QT. Then for the new additions, I could still do the tank transfer to get rid of ich, but would then need to send them straight to the DT. Obviously would risk introducing any other types of diseases beyond ich to my DT, but would be able to end up adding the purple as the final fish.

 

[Wolverine]

I wouldn't do it in a tank that small. The kole tang alone I'd consider.

 

[Allentown]

My tank looks exactly like yours nearly, only i have a Tommi tang instead of a kole, a scribbled rabbit instead of a fox face, and no angel.

I just added a copperband butterfly instead of the tang. I would think you would have room for one more tang as long as it is one of the breed that doesnt require the 6 foot tank, and the purple tang isn't. Different people have differnt luck with these and the Purple can be extra mean.

I think you are in for a "roll of the dice" with this decision. I had posted here previously and was told that if i add another tang, it would really need to be a simple yellow tang or one of the dreaded powder variants due to territory and aggression. I consider a purple to be in the same class as a yellow so i think what you are doing is possible.....but a roll of the dice nonetheless.

 

[_Mackus_]

Appreciate the advice, everyone.

Sounds like at best its a gamble and at worst the purple should be the last fish added. I think I may be better off waiting. If I decide to try one later on, maybe I can get lucky on the price again.

 

[xtlosx]

I just stumbled upon this and am comtemplating adding a purple tang to my 150G in addition to the Kole we already have. He won't be the last fish, as I plan on adding maybe Anthias, and more wrasses. Shouldn't be an issue adding those types of fish, but he certainly would be the last tang.

Any thoughts on that, or should I absolutely hold off until the purple is absolutely the last?

 

[sfsuphysics]

Overall though I think aggression is more a function of perceived space for the fish, my tank has a footprint of 6 feet by 5 feet so there's lots of swimming room, the aquascaping is such that you can have fish swimming in relative close proximity and not know there was another fish there. So my purple, yellow, kole and tomini have few issues with each other. However with a tank that size, I wouldn't do it, you already have two herbivores that do get large, and I know the price might be really good, but overall probably not the best idea.

Here's a picture of my purple and yellow a week or so after introducing them to the tank, haven't taken pictures with the Kole yet

 

[xtlosx]

Well the only tang right now is the kole, no other herbivores, so it would just be the kole and Purple for a 150G.

 

[TravelinLight]

I have a Kole and a Purple Tang. PT added last and have had no issues with either of them(6 months) and have added fish after the PT with no issues. The only thing my Purple Tang does do is let me Zebra Moray know who is boss.

 

[xtlosx]

So just to add my experience. Added PT last night, absolutely no aggression.. The PT is much larger and my Kole looks like a midget next to the PT. They swim together, and don't give each other any issues. Great combination and between the two I should have my glass and film algae clean, and all hair algae is now being devoured by the PT. This is a safe combo IMHO.

 

[lhm nole]

All the purples I have owned have been mellow and was able to add other tangs with no issues.. Recently added a achilles with a purple and yellow tang, yellow tang chased the achilles for a few days and now just ignores it the purple raised a fin here and there but all 3 get along very well now.Purple and yellow was added together 2 years ago and never had a issue with them..

 

[xtlosx]

Our PT seems to be super mellow as well... He's more interested in eating algae from the rocks, pellets, and whatever else I put in there. He eats like a horse!

 

[[]V[]addog]

I would also think you would be fine with two tangs in that footprint.. but... everyoen seems to have different luck

 

[Nina51]

i've used this just for a guide. scroll down and you can type in the 2 fish you want to compare for compatibility. when i find them to be compatible, i always double check with steve (snorvich) in the new to hobby forum. there's a sticky where he gives his opinion.

http://www.marinecompatibilityguide.com/