Kole, tomini, or foxface

[pledosophy]

I'm looking for the next fish for my 65g. When I set it up it was going to be a seahorse tank so I put in some macro's, but well a year and a half later it's a reef tank and getting rid of the macro has been hard.

I'm looking for a fish to add beauty, and do some work. Any of these fish should get along with my current stock (midas blenny, bi color, pair of clowns, watchman) and it will be the biggest and last addition to the tank.

I keep a variety of corlas, (LPS, SPS, softies)

Which would you choose?

I realize my tank is a tad small for any of these fish, but given that, which would you choose for this tank and this purpose.

 

[wayne in norway]

I've had a kole and it was really nice, so I'd go Tomini next. A foxface will get too big too quickly and the one I currently have is stupid and not nearly as nice to own as the kole.

 

[black_majik]

In the size aspect, Tomini- Kole- Foxface. I have a 75 and my foxface has outgrown it.

 

[thor32766]

Kole or Tomini would be an awesome addition to your tank.

 

[Chibils]

The foxface will mow it down. The tangs will stay in your tank, but usually target hair algaes first. You could add the foxface, then get rid of him in a few weeks?

 

[joesfiddy]

kole tang

 

[LisaD]

Kevin, I know a foxface is too big, but they are cool fish. get one for your upgrade.

why not a mimic tang? get one small and let it grow up.

 

[cl2ysta1]

do a blue eye kole tang!

 

[pledosophy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12676552#post12676552 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chibils
The foxface will mow it down. The tangs will stay in your tank, but usually target hair algaes first. You could add the foxface, then get rid of him in a few weeks?

What hair algae?

 

[pledosophy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12681806#post12681806 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LisaD
Kevin, I know a foxface is too big, but they are cool fish. get one for your upgrade.

why not a mimic tang? get one small and let it grow up.

I actually know nothing about a mimic tang. Thanks for the suggestion Lisa. I'll look into it.

Either way I want to get a small one and let it grow. I'm lucky enough to be able to get one of a smaller size with the LFS.

My next upgrade is at least 5 years away, looking into going back to school to become a pharmacist. After I get a job, ya an upgrade is coming. The type of upgrade that involves a crane and a hole in the wall.

 

[jda]

There will be no guarantee that the tangs will eat the macro. Just have a plan in case they don't.

If it were my tank, I would remove as much macro as possible by hand and put 20 (or so) turbos in there. They will take care of macro once they get all of the "easy" film algae. You will have to get rid of most of them once they are done or else they will starve.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Here's my vote!

 

[RokleM]

Eat that tomato Capt_Cully!

I recently put in a Tomini. He's just a little guy, but spends a decent amount of time picking at rocks thus far. My Hippo rarely ever does. Anyone have multiple Tomini's?

 

[pledosophy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12686132#post12686132 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jda
There will be no guarantee that the tangs will eat the macro. Just have a plan in case they don't.

If it were my tank, I would remove as much macro as possible by hand and put 20 (or so) turbos in there. They will take care of macro once they get all of the "easy" film algae. You will have to get rid of most of them once they are done or else they will starve.

If the tang does not eat the macro then I'll just continue my current course and pull some out every week.

So far it looks like kole's are more likely to eat the macro and tomini are more of a some do some don't type thing from what I have been able to find.

IME turbo's will not graze on the type of macro (taxifloria) that I have. Been keeping the two together for a few years now. The turbo's are really good at knocking crap over though. :lol:

 

[wayne in norway]

Oh, wish I'd read the original q properly. I don't think a kole or a tomini will touch macro algae at all. My kole never touched that or hair. A foxface is more likely to destroy it.

On the subject of mimics, well mimic's aren't the only tangs that mimic - when I got my kole it was very, very small, and was bright yellow with a blue eye like a small lemonpeel angel. Quite a few Ctenochaetus tangs will do this , and some other larger tangs than just Acanthurus pyroferus and tristis. he changed colour at about 4, 5 cms in lengh.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Lookin good Barry!

 

[pledosophy]

Ended up going with a Kole. The tomini they had was gorgeous but kinda skiddish where the kole was all up in my face when I was looking at the tank.

It is a beautiful fish, and I got to see it eat the same type of algae I have in my tanks. Double score.

It's acclimating now. Just killing time until I can release it.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Congrats, you can't go wrong with either. The Kole will come into it's own and likely have a great personality. Mine was great and mowed algae. It's funny though that to the naked eye it was pretty bland, but when photographed (even by a hack like me) it showed some pretty blue hues:

 

[pledosophy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12696154#post12696154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Capt_Cully
but when photographed (even by a hack like me) it showed some pretty blue hues:

Here is my attempt at a photograph.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Wow, check out that red! Nice!