ID This Blenny

Just don't think this as black and white as you are making it. Please read the response I got today from WetWebMedia and see if you don't agree.

BTW, Your post was a catalyst for my inquiry to them. This is my first inquiry to that highly regarded resource. So, I really appreciate your posting to my thread.

I think this clarifies some of the confusion. That said, it's clear that individual personality of a given specimen is also a key factor. I've spoken to 3 experienced 'tang' people and not one of them believes that tangs are natural enemies to a blenny.

[FONT=&quot]ReTomini Tang Agressive Toward Tribal Blenny/Compatibility 11/29/11[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thanks for your prompt response.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]<You're welcome.>[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]A follow-up please... I've read on a forum, with a claimed but not a [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]cited reference back to wetwebmedia, that the tomini and tribal are [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]'natural' enemies because they are both algae eaters.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]<Can be. Is possible the tang sees the tribal as a threat to it's food [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]source.>[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Is that valid? Or, can I assume that my experience is an abberration [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]and not the norm? [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]<Every fish will/can have it's own personality. I have a Tomini Tang [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]that's been[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]around several years and it seems to get along well with any new [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]introduction.>[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Can I expect the same problem if I manage to [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]capture the tomini and replace him with a Kole Tang?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]<Likely not as the Kole Tang will be the new kid on the block, but no [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]guarantees. The[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Kole Tang is actually more aggressive than the Tomini Tang but generally [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]only to[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]conspecifics.>[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thanks,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Larry[/FONT]

 

I would say your authorative source should be your post about it being aggressive. Do a search on google for Tomini Tang Aggression ... it happens. I understand you weren't expecting it but it is a common problem. Many tangs can be aggressive but it doesn't mean they all are.

It all boils down to your fish and what they do and don't do. They truly do have their own personalities.

Your source also says the Volitan Lionfish is only Semi-Aggressive when I can almost guarantee it will eat any other fish in your tank that it can fit in it's mouth. I don't really consider stores reputable sources when it comes to fishes because they always seem to sugar coat most things I take forum posts of experiences more seriously. I hope everything works out in your favor in the long run because it isn't fun to deal with fighting fishes ever regardless of the kind. Deep down you wish you could just say "*** guys just get along..." but instead something stupid happens.

I had a tank one time with 4 damsels, a flame hawkfish, an anemone, and an emerald crab. Only one of my damsels was ever aggressive and it was only toward the hawkfish, which generally wanted to be left alone. three days after introduction of the hawkfish I came home from work to find the emerald crab and damsel in a cave together like they were friends and my hawkfish floating almost looking like he got pinched to death by the crab. My tank was a nightmare it was almost like keeping a small mob up until it crashed because my lfs told me 30g tank was fine for all of those and that they would all get along fine and would all eat the same food. I know now all of this was plain bull now but hey 11 years ago I didn't know any better or what I was doing really because I listened to them. Wish I knew about this forum then, if it was even around. I wouldn't have stocked so much so quickly and probably would have waited to actually get enough liverock for the tank and I doubt it even cycled properly because nobody said anything about testing my water for anything except salinity. Welcome to my first saltwater tank and why, to this day, I don't have another one. That left a bitter taste in my mouth. I successfully keep some pretty high maintenance freshwater tanks, so now, I am looking back into saltwater, but I've been lurking in the shadows for years reading and planning for a nice comeback.

 

Sorry to hear about your experience and how it kept you away from this awesome hobby for so long. For what's it's worth, I was also in 'hibernation' from all fish keeping because of family moves, logistics, and less than favorable outcomes. Do not regret that decision, but now that I've been up and running....with careful planning and a deliberative and quality build...I'm pleased as pink and see how much fear was in my way of enjoyment.

That said, suggest you read deeper into the response posted in this thread and elsewhere from sources like wetwebmedia.com

Sometimes the solutions and experiences are not always what they seem at first look. Hope your experience going forward is positive.

 

Aggressiveness Resolved

The solution I found for the problem is likely to bring about more controversy, but as it is working so I'll take the flak.

As I was not successful in getting the tomini tang out of the tank...and getting the blenny out also seemed problematic, I took the opportunity...after much conversation with tang people who have successful husbandry experience over the years...to re-visit and act on an earlier stocking plan: I added a kole tang.

The kole was picked up at a lfs who had just received delivery of the fish that was still in the wholesaler's shipping bag and is approx. 1/2" larger than my tomini. The thinking was that it most likely would not exacerbate the behavior problem with the tomini and might resolve the behavior problem between the tomini and the tribal. Consensus was that tomini was for some reason being overly territorial.

The tomini's aggressiveness stopped as if a switch had been turned from the moment he was greeted by the kole. He and the kole are getting along swimmingly ;D and the blenny is no longer harassed.

The fish seem happy and calmer... I'm happy and now have an awesome kole - great specimen, robust, and seemingly very healthy. I'm now also a convert in trying to get fish still in their shipping bag before they get into the lfs store's tank...whenever I cannot locate the specimen I want directly from a hobbyist.

Hope that my experience proves helpful for others.

 

Glad to hear it all worked out for you. Sometimes the path less traveled leads you to the solution you were looking for. You're happy and you have happy tank mates. That's always a win-win.

 

Yep. I think it's also a lesson that weeding through various information sources, e.g., forums, LFS, hobbyists (outside the forums), etc. is worth the extra effort. Things are not always so black and white.