Kole Tangs - difficult to keep?

[Deinonych]

I just lost a Kole Tang this morning. He was in quarantine, in the middle of a tank transfer routine. Prior to the start of TT, he was extremely active and eating well. Once I moved him to a new tank to start TT, he stopped eating and started breathing rapidly. He would settle down after a day or so, but still would not eat. After each tank move, the process would start again. Yesterday was the 2nd move (day 7) and I guess it was too much for him. I had attempted to treat prophylactically with Cupramine a few weeks back, but he stopped eating then as well.

Did I just have an extremely sensitive fish, or are all Kole Tangs this touchy?

 

[Megatrev62]

Sadly, sounds like what you were doing probably killed him.

 

[Pearson]

I've never had any issues with Kole Tangs. Most of the time they pull through and they seem hardier than most of the other tangs.

 

[Megatrev62]

Also, if I were to QT I would simply use copper and be done with it. Good luck next time.

 

[rssjsb]

Koles tend to be extremely skittish and stress out easily when newly introduced. Maybe they're not so suited for the constant handling needed for the transfer method. They should tolerate copper ok if you gradually ramp up to the full dose. There are also other meds you can use, like chloroquine phosphate that are less toxic if you just don't want to use copper at all.

 

[Deinonych]

Thank you very much for the insight. I'm convinced the constant handling associated with TT is what did him in. I will try a more gradual ramp up with copper and eschew tank transfer next time.

 

[rssjsb]

Some fish are probably fine with TT and I know a lot of folks swear by it. But koles are just touchy at first. Once acclimated, they're great fish.

 

[Deinonych]

Well, I'm not sure I'm one of the people that swear by TT. I appreciate the info, it is very helpful knowing they are more sensitive. I will be more careful in my next attempt. I am definitely fond of Kole Tangs and want to keep them successfully.

 

[Rea17]

I had a kole that did fine in Cupramine. I did take extra time to ramp up the dosage, and I made sure he was eating and semi-secure before I started medication.

 

[Deinonych]

Thank you. Do you recall the increments you used to ramp up the dosage?