Kole Tang

The Kole Tang, also known as the Yellow-Eye Tang or Striped Bristletooth Tang, is a peaceful and efficient algae-eating surgeonfish. Distinguished by their olive-brown body with orange stripes and bright yellow eye rings, these tangs are excellent reef-safe fish that help control algae growth. They are more peaceful than many other tang species and get along well in community tanks. Kole Tangs are hardy and adaptable, making them a great choice for intermediate aquarists looking for a helpful algae control specialist.

Care Requirements

Tank Setup

Kole Tangs need space to swim and plenty of live rock for grazing:

• Minimum 70 gallons (100+ recommended)
• Long tanks preferred - active swimmers
• Live rock (20+ lbs per 10 gallons for grazing)
• Protein skimmer
• Powerheads for moderate flow
• Heater to maintain 74-82°F
• High-quality marine lighting

Important: Provide ample live rock surfaces for algae grazing, which is their primary food source.

Water Quality (Marine)

• Temperature: 74-82°F (23-28°C)
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.025
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <20 ppm
• Phosphate: <0.03 ppm
• Calcium: 400-450 ppm
• Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH

Maintenance:

• Weekly 15-20% water changes
• Top off with RO/DI water daily
• Excellent filtration and protein skimming

Feeding

Kole Tangs are primarily herbivores with specialized bristle-like teeth for algae removal:

• Staple: Marine algae sheets (Nori) - offer daily
• Spirulina-based marine flakes and pellets
• Frozen foods: Mysis shrimp, marine mixes (occasional)
• Live rock algae: Primary natural food source
• Vegetables: Blanched spinach, zucchini

Feeding Schedule: 2-3 times daily plus constant grazing on live rock.

Note: Their specialized bristle teeth are designed for scraping algae off rocks - provide plenty of grazing surfaces.

Behavior & Compatibility

Kole Tangs are among the most peaceful tang species:

• Good Tank Mates:

  • Clownfish
  • Other tangs (including Yellow Tangs, Blue Tangs)
  • Gobies (Firefish, Shrimp Gobies)
  • Blennies
  • Cardinalfish
  • Dartfish
  • Wrasses
  • Most peaceful reef fish

• Avoid:

  • Other Kole Tangs (unless in very large tanks 200+ gallons)
  • Aggressive triggers
  • Large predatory fish

Special Trait: Kole Tangs are excellent algae control specialists, constantly grazing on diatoms, hair algae, and film algae.

Health Considerations

Kole Tangs are generally hardy but watch for:

• Marine Ich: Quarantine new fish
• Hunger if algae is insufficient: Ensure supplemental feeding
• Stress from aggressive tank mates: Keep with peaceful fish

Prevention: Provide plenty of live rock, maintain water quality, and house with compatible peaceful fish.