Sohal tang

SPotter

SPotter

Active member
I recently acquired a 4" as part of a trade for equipment. A sohal was in my livestock list for my tank but was trying to wait towards the end of stocking to introduce because of their aggression. my question is this....are they aggressive towards all fish or a just other tangs? right now he's the sole occupant in my 80g frag tank and I really want to move him to my 315g but don't want to regret it in the future. once he's in the dt there's no getting him out.

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Thanks Steve. I was pretty sure I knew the answer but wanted to see what others had to say. He's definitely a character already....I have witnessed him pushing frags that are on discs around the tank. He pretty much cleared out the area around the entrance to his little cave.
 
I had one in my 220. Ive read these fish will tear apart tanks ect... Mine wasn't the case. He was very fast moving and ate a ton, got to about 6 inches... I did a major tank overhaul, new lights, got rid of all my non reef safe angels, and let the service guy have him... It definitely calmed the fish tank mates down... He was semi aggressive but not a killer or constant harasser...
 
DarthSimon said:
I had one in my 220. Ive read these fish will tear apart tanks ect... Mine wasn't the case. He was very fast moving and ate a ton, got to about 6 inches... I did a major tank overhaul, new lights, got rid of all my non reef safe angels, and let the service guy have him... It definitely calmed the fish tank mates down... He was semi aggressive but not a killer or constant harasser...
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Wait until he reaches 10 inches.
 
I think Achilles are less aggressive, but are just as much a show fish as the Sohal's.
Doesn't get too big either. Just a thought, I know its off-topic.
 
Mine is around 10" and shows no aggression to the current tank mates (ATM anyway).

Previously he was in with a YT and a pair of clarkii clowns, and that was a different story.

ATM he's with a cleaner wrasse, melanaurus wrasse (which does get chased occasionally) and a regal angel, which was well established before I added the sohal and has never had a problem.

However I do realise this could change very quickly. The only other tank I would want soils be an Achilles. Are these really less aggressive? My wife also pikes pb tangs but I've always avoided them like the plague.
 
I've always liked what BZ says about them:
"Wide berth should be given to this Red Sea inhabitant as it’s aggression extends from the tangs to Parrotfishes, Triggerfishes and whatever else it may feel particularly displeased with. Plenty of space will give the aquarium inhabitants places to swim and hide away from this belligerent beauties".
I've kept most aggressive tangs long-term and don't think any other even comes close to the Sohal's temperament. Achilles are pussycats, IME. My Sohal is certainly the alpha fish and reminds his tankmates when he feels like it. However, he's in with other sizable fish that can handle themselves. They avoid major damage, but little skirmishes are certain. Any damage has been very minor and rare. From prior experience, they will kill any fish that challenges them or just ignores his place in the pecking order. Their tank is a 240 and its too small, the Sohal is going to a new home soon .....I think.
 
Inklinkerman said:
Mine is around 10" and shows no aggression to the current tank mates (ATM anyway).

Previously he was in with a YT and a pair of clarkii clowns, and that was a different story.

ATM he's with a cleaner wrasse, melanaurus wrasse (which does get chased occasionally) and a regal angel, which was well established before I added the sohal and has never had a problem.

However I do realise this could change very quickly. The only other tank I would want soils be an Achilles. Are these really less aggressive? My wife also pikes pb tangs but I've always avoided them like the plague.
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Why avoid PBTs? They are far from being the most aggressive tang and I think they're fairly easy fish if they have enough room. The big problem with PBTs, IMO & IME, is that they are often sold to beginners who don't know what they're getting to and don't properly use a QT.
 
I have one in a 90 gallon qt that will be going in an 8-4 foot tank and i will say hes semi agressive at 6 inanchs and has great personality.
 
I would put the shoal in your dt last. If it is going to work out, it will only be with already-established fish. After-added newcomers likely won't fare too well.
 
MrTuskfish said:
Why avoid PBTs? They are far from being the most aggressive tang and I think they're fairly easy fish if they have enough room. The big problem with PBTs, IMO & IME, is that they are often sold to beginners who don't know what they're getting to and don't properly use a QT.
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I've just seen too many ich problems even after qt and weeks on the tank. I don't find sohals as bad. I would try an Achilles though.
 
Inklinkerman said:
I've just seen too many ich problems even after qt and weeks on the tank. I don't find sohals as bad. I would try an Achilles though.
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You hear a lot more about ich with PBTs than with Sohals or Achilles because there are many,many more of them sold; and so many come from lousy dealers (Petco sells them) and not given a proper QT regimen.
 
Everyones feed back is greatly appreciated. I will hold off on putting him in. Most of the fish in my tank right now are the same size as he is but I dont want that to limit me with what I can put in the tank going forward. He definitely cracks me up though....every day the frags on the bottom of the tank are moved around on me. I would love to put a web cam on the tank so I can actually see him doing it.
 
My Sohal was evil. He seemed OK most of the time, but he was really very sneaky, and would use his scalpel on fish that weren't expecting it, suddenly and without warning, then go back to normal as if nothing happened. He killed my Achilles. He was about 7-8" in a 240 gallon. I got rid of it and the tank has been a happier place for it. The new owner reports no issues with it, but I told him to watch it very closely.
 
I think it also has to do with tank mates. I had some fish that were as big or larger. There is no doubt in my mind when they get to the 7-8 inch plus range they can be aggressive....
 
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