Yellow and Kole Tang in a 90..Whats the verdict?

[eb8919]

I planned on getting these two long before my tank was even running. Well as chance would have it...with a freshly established tank at home complete with a nice hair algae bloom...I walked into the lfs today to see a perfectly healthy yellow and kole tang, in the same tank. The tanks been going strong for awhile now with 3 chromis and my levels have maintained perfectly. My question is compadibilty in the long run. Does any one have experience with these two in a long term system? They are doing fine together in the store and were both imported from Hawaii.(if that helps). Thanks for any advice.

 

[MazdaSPD3]

How long has the tank been up? I don't know if your tank will handle two new fishes, not only is there two but two that will poop like no other.

It would be best if you waited a few more months, let the tank do its thing, because it will, and then add them both so limit aggression.

 

[eb8919]

Thanks for the response. I'm more concerned with the compatibility of the two fish together. Im quite confident in my system at this point and its ability to handle the additional bio-load. I've attempted worse in several other systems and have never suffered any repercussions. Plus my skimmer likes poop .

 

[sedor]

Its just that if all your tank has is 3 chromis in it right now its going to be a HUGE bio-load jump which could technically start a new cycle in a new tank. I would probably add a couple other fish and then add the tangs down the road. Not only for the chemistry of the tank, but also because tangs are usually better if they are added last otherwise they can beat up on newcomers.

 

[MazdaSPD3]

Compatibility wise, I don't see a problem but please do take our advise with the bioload issue.

Maybe try to overfeed the tank for a week or so to give the tank some time to prepare for the extra bioload.

 

[Amoore311]

How big are the fish? How much live rock is in the system?

Compatability wise they will be fine. Your best bet to curb any introductory aggression would actually be to add them at the same time.

Bioload wise.... hmm. I would think it would be ok as long as the fish aren't both fully grown. I honestly don't know for sure though.

 

[eb8919]

Well i respect and embrace the advice...but the fact is my tank isn't THAT freshly established...it has been running for a few months...it has over 130 lbs of established/cured live rock...its 90 gallon display with a 75 gallon sump...a strong skimmer, gfo and carbon. In my time with my systems...friends systems and reading around i've never known 2 tangs to have that ill of an effect on a bio-load of a system of that size and establishment. Especially the younger ones i plan on getting, they are smaller in size.

Now on to the adding them last... I've heard both sides of this. I have always thought tangs were put in earlier due to the fact that they are effective cleaners and help early on through out algae cycles. Do they become that big of bullies generally?

Back to my main question...do a yellow tang and kole tang get along in the long term.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[eb8919]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15719177#post15719177 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amoore311
How big are the fish? How much live rock is in the system?

Compatability wise they will be fine. Your best bet to curb any introductory aggression would actually be to add them at the same time.

***Yes this is what I plan on doing...thanks for the reassurance. I do not know much about kole tangs so i was hoping there not secretly the devil of all tangs. From everything I've read they seem to be easy to care for and a great addition.

Bioload wise.... hmm. I would think it would be ok as long as the fish aren't both fully grown. I honestly don't know for sure though.

 

[Korrine]

I haven't owned a tang yet, but have read about yellow tangs being really aggressive to the point of stressing/killing new arrivals down the road.

Why not add some more CUC to deal w/algae? Emerald Crab?

 

[eb8919]

Well the significance of the hair algae is that kole tangs thrive off it. Its a heavy part of their diet. I do have emerald crabs and a cuc...the reason for adding the two tangs aren't entirely algae related. I love the two fish and have wanted them for some time. I appreciate the responses but I feel this has went off topic. I simply wanted to know the compatibility between a kole and a yellow tang.

 

[Korrine]

oh sorry

imo they should get along fine

 

[Outerbank]

I had my yellow tang with a kole tang for years. They look great together and they got along fine. I love kole tangs and have always been interested in adding another. They were together many years ago when I owned a 100 gallon tank, so they should do well in your 90 gallon if it is established. They are algae eating machines. The kole tang would chase my redlip blenny from time to time. That is the only aggression I ever saw with the fish.

 

[Amoore311]

Judging by what you posted I would add them both if I were in your shoes.

They should get along fine. Yellows and Koles are both pretty docile as far as tangs go.



Also, if you want a REAL algae eating machine. Look into a pincushion urchin. They don't get very large, and will just mow that algae down.

I've had one for over a year now, and while he does pick up the occasional frag/snail/hermit.... he really does plow through any algae that might pop up in the tank.

 

[anbosu]

I wouldn't put an urchin in a reef because they will pick up and move frags, but they do a better job than anything I have ever had in a tank keeping algae down.

 

[bandr1002]

I had both the yellow and kole tang together in my 75 gallon. They got along great. I didn't add them at the same time. I had my yellow tang for a month before adding the kole tang. I did make sure that the kole tang was substantially bigger then the yellow tang. As far as the bio-load, I do weekly water changes of 10 - 20% and everything was fine.

 

[eb8919]

Thank you for the advice. It is very reassuring to know they have been kept together succesfuly. I went and paid for them today and will be picking them up tomorrow. I will update with pictures soon .

 

[audiophile42]

I was just thinking about doing the same thing in my 90g. My question is about quarantining the fish. I try to QT all my fish before they go in the display. But my QT tank is a 20g long. I think one tang would be fine in there for 4-6 weeks, but what about two?

 

[small alien]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15720036#post15720036 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eb8919
I appreciate the responses but I feel this has went off topic. I simply wanted to know the compatibility between a kole and a yellow tang.

Reef Central, like life, doesn't always play by your rules. :rollface:

That said, just come out and say it, "I really, really, really want to buy THESE two fish RIGHT NOW!" because that is underlying your whole thread. It's okay to feel that. We've all felt that.

When that many people are telling you the same thing in this kind of context, probably best to at least give it some consideration.

 

[small alien]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15725111#post15725111 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eb8919
Thank you for the advice. It is very reassuring to know they have been kept together succesfuly. I went and paid for them today and will be picking them up tomorrow. I will update with pictures soon .

I knew from the very first post that this post would come.

But, ah, you love fish and that's cool. Good luck!

 

[eb8919]

Haha ahh yess...well I knew as soon as I went into the fish store that I was probably going to get them. But I always like to do SOME sort of research before making an impulse buy. I knew two smaller tangs would be ok in my 90 but i just wanted to make sure a kole and a yellow didn't have some secret HATRED for each other. So thanks for all those who responded and gave advice.
With that said I did add them at about 2:00 p.m today and by 3:30 I put the lights on. Right away both were gobbling up hair algae and practically hanging out like a pair of clowns...so I am very pleased. I am going to throw some pics on when i get home.