Taming a kole tang without re-scaping or removal

Viking Dr · 03/05/2012, 03:09 PM

I have a Kole tang that is a bully to a new tank mate. A lawnmower blenny. The blenny has no problem hiding from the Tang, and it doesn't seem to be a huge issue for the blenny at this point, but I have a Solar wrasse in QT right now and I am wondering what will happen once I introduce it to the DT.

This may be stupid, but, I have taken a picture of my Solar wrasse and cut it out and I am sticking a bunch of them to the glass and moving them every so often. The Kole tang sees the image and looks at it, but doesn't make any aggressive moves towards it like the blenny.

This may be stupid too, but, I took a small mirror and when the kole sees his reflection...the fight is on...LOL I was wondering if using this mirror would help to get it's attention away from the new fish in the tank, or would this make him more aggressive to others in the tank as well.

Any help taming this little bugger would be much appreciated.

PS Kole tangs are suppose to be peaceful tank mates...YA BS....

tylersarah · 03/05/2012, 03:49 PM

I had the same problem with my Kole tang and Starry Blenny.

I taped a small mirror to one side of the tank for a while. It helped a lot.

Once the Kole tang sees his reflection he gets pre-occupied with it. They think that there is another Tang which is more important to them then the blenny. That way the Blenny will have time to get out from their hiding spot and get some food and excersize. I can't speak for knowing if it helped in the long term because my Kole tang eventually died. Not sure why. Either he was so pre-occupied with messing with the Blenny during feeding time that he starved himself or some other disease unknown to me. It's too bad, he was a cool fish.

Viking Dr · 03/05/2012, 04:09 PM

I am wondering, if fighting with his reflection lowers it's immunity? I like the fish and from what I read they are suppose to be shy...but this little bugger is peeing me off!

Viking Dr · 03/05/2012, 06:54 PM

Any other opinions

Hal · 03/06/2012, 07:53 AM

I've heard some people will add several sections of pvc pipe into their tank when adding new fish. Big sections, like bottom to top. They think that it, in effect, creates a temporary new rockscape that the fish have to deal with, thereby negating the established territory for each fish. I've never tried it, but it sounds plausible. I don't know that I like it better than the mirror and cutout fish, but it might be something in addition to try if you're really worried.

Obviously changing your rockscape by moving rock would do the same thing, but that's a lot of work.

tylersarah · 03/06/2012, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viking Dr

I am wondering, if fighting with his reflection lowers it's immunity? I like the fish and from what I read they are suppose to be shy...but this little bugger is peeing me off!

I thought the same thing...Anyone that has one in a tank with a blenny of sorts will tell you differently.

Milky3 · 03/06/2012, 01:38 PM

The mirror trick worked for me also.I kept it there for 3 days now he leaves the new addition alone.

cboy · 03/06/2012, 08:24 PM

My kole chases around my Stary Blenny all the time. The blenny is way too fast for the kole tho so not a big deal.

lokii_37 · 03/06/2012, 10:14 PM

i have only seen my Kole chase my lawnmower blenny a couple of times. but he does not bother him any more. also the blenny was in the tank first.

chet-tonja · 03/06/2012, 11:42 PM

Wow, I'm surprised I've never heard about this before. I had a Kole and Lawnmower for years and never had any issues.

Everyones Hero · 03/07/2012, 12:28 AM

If I had to guess it's because he sees the blenny as competition for food.

I'd try putting algae clips on each end of the tank to make sure there is enough food for both fish & make sure the tang is well fed.

03/05/2012, 03:09 PM	#1
Viking Dr Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: London Posts: 194	Taming a kole tang without re-scaping or removal I have a Kole tang that is a bully to a new tank mate. A lawnmower blenny. The blenny has no problem hiding from the Tang, and it doesn't seem to be a huge issue for the blenny at this point, but I have a Solar wrasse in QT right now and I am wondering what will happen once I introduce it to the DT. This may be stupid, but, I have taken a picture of my Solar wrasse and cut it out and I am sticking a bunch of them to the glass and moving them every so often. The Kole tang sees the image and looks at it, but doesn't make any aggressive moves towards it like the blenny. This may be stupid too, but, I took a small mirror and when the kole sees his reflection...the fight is on...LOL I was wondering if using this mirror would help to get it's attention away from the new fish in the tank, or would this make him more aggressive to others in the tank as well. Any help taming this little bugger would be much appreciated. PS Kole tangs are suppose to be peaceful tank mates...YA BS.... __________________ It's not about getting what you want, it's about wanting what you got! Current Tank Info: 90 Gal drilled, 20 gal sump. 520 watts of CF lighting 4 65w 10K, 4 65w Atinic, Deltec TS1250 skimmer, 100 lbs of like rock and 100 lbs of live sand.

03/05/2012, 04:09 PM	#3
Viking Dr Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: London Posts: 194	I am wondering, if fighting with his reflection lowers it's immunity? I like the fish and from what I read they are suppose to be shy...but this little bugger is peeing me off! __________________ It's not about getting what you want, it's about wanting what you got! Current Tank Info: 90 Gal drilled, 20 gal sump. 520 watts of CF lighting 4 65w 10K, 4 65w Atinic, Deltec TS1250 skimmer, 100 lbs of like rock and 100 lbs of live sand.

03/05/2012, 06:54 PM	#4
Viking Dr Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: London Posts: 194	Any other opinions __________________ It's not about getting what you want, it's about wanting what you got! Current Tank Info: 90 Gal drilled, 20 gal sump. 520 watts of CF lighting 4 65w 10K, 4 65w Atinic, Deltec TS1250 skimmer, 100 lbs of like rock and 100 lbs of live sand.

03/06/2012, 07:53 AM	#5
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	I've heard some people will add several sections of pvc pipe into their tank when adding new fish. Big sections, like bottom to top. They think that it, in effect, creates a temporary new rockscape that the fish have to deal with, thereby negating the established territory for each fish. I've never tried it, but it sounds plausible. I don't know that I like it better than the mirror and cutout fish, but it might be something in addition to try if you're really worried. Obviously changing your rockscape by moving rock would do the same thing, but that's a lot of work. __________________ Some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints. Current Tank Info: 250g starphire: 72x28x30, BeanAnimal drain with an oversized non-durso emergency drain, 4 inch DSB, 3x Reefbreeders Value LED fixtures, SWC/MSX 300A skimmer, Geo kalk reactor, 3 Vortechs w/bb, carbon reactor, and a RKL

03/05/2012, 03:49 PM	#2
tylersarah Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 900	I had the same problem with my Kole tang and Starry Blenny. I taped a small mirror to one side of the tank for a while. It helped a lot. Once the Kole tang sees his reflection he gets pre-occupied with it. They think that there is another Tang which is more important to them then the blenny. That way the Blenny will have time to get out from their hiding spot and get some food and excersize. I can't speak for knowing if it helped in the long term because my Kole tang eventually died. Not sure why. Either he was so pre-occupied with messing with the Blenny during feeding time that he starved himself or some other disease unknown to me. It's too bad, he was a cool fish.

03/06/2012, 01:38 PM	#7
Milky3 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Harlingen ,Tx Posts: 148	The mirror trick worked for me also.I kept it there for 3 days now he leaves the new addition alone.

03/06/2012, 08:24 PM	#8
cboy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 69	My kole chases around my Stary Blenny all the time. The blenny is way too fast for the kole tho so not a big deal.

03/06/2012, 10:14 PM	#9
lokii_37 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Santa Rosa Posts: 1,270	i have only seen my Kole chase my lawnmower blenny a couple of times. but he does not bother him any more. also the blenny was in the tank first.

03/06/2012, 11:42 PM	#10
chet-tonja Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Indiana Posts: 795	Wow, I'm surprised I've never heard about this before. I had a Kole and Lawnmower for years and never had any issues.

03/07/2012, 12:28 AM	#11
Everyones Hero Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Leonardtown, MD Posts: 1,154	If I had to guess it's because he sees the blenny as competition for food. I'd try putting algae clips on each end of the tank to make sure there is enough food for both fish & make sure the tang is well fed.