Disposition:  Like all Tangs, Kole Tangs can be somewhat mean to other tangs or fish that have a tang like shape such as Butterflyfish, but otherwise tend to be good community fish.  Kole Tangs tend to be one of the least aggressive members of the tang family and may be bullied by more aggressive tangs. When attacking other fish, they extend the spine near their tail and attempt to slash the other fish with it.  Hence the common family name of Surgeonfish. 

Feeding:  Kole tangs are mainly herbivores and require a fair amount of vegetables in their diet to thrive.  Their mouth is used as a rasp to scrap micro algae off the rocks using many small teeth which give them the common name of Bristletooth.  In reef tanks, their diet  is at least partially accommodated by micro algae growing in the tank.  The primary foods fed should also consist of a good portion of vegetable matter such as zucchini, nori or similar, although they enjoy some meaty foods as well.  

Hardiness:  Hardy once acclimated, but prone to black spot and Ick, especially on newly introduced specimens.  This often seems to disappear of its own accord in a reef environment if the fish is in otherwise good condition.

Temperature: Does well within normal reef tank temperature ranges of at least 75-84°F.

Size:  Kole Tangs can grow up to about 7" in length in the wild and are typically 4"-5" in captivity.  

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