Purple tang or white tail kole tang WHICH IS BETTER

[Reeferx13]

Looking on which is the best to add on to my reef tank , found them both for the same price just the matter of which to choose now ? Any preference..

 

[nereefpat]

Both are really beautiful fish. It's sort of up to you which you like better. There are some behavior differences.

What's the tank size? Any other tangs involved? Any blennies? Any specific algae you want the tang to clean up?

 

[MERKEY]

In my opinion Bristles are work horses and zebrasomas can be lazy and only graze periodically.

If you're going just for looks then which color do you need in your tank more

 

[AquaTiger]

Looking on which is the best to add on to my reef tank , found them both for the same price just the matter of which to choose now ? Any preference..

BOTH!

 

[Silent]

Bristletooth tangs are nonstop grazers. Better as a utilitarian fish in my experience than the purple tang. Also bristletooth tangs seem to be more peaceful.

 

[BZOFIQ]

If you looking for function, definitely kole.

 

[JJKK]

I have both, so depending on tank size, both may be the right answer as AquaTiger suggested.

My Whitetail Bristletooth does not eat green hair algae like the Purple. The Whitetail is pecking all day on film algae.

 

[Miller535]

I vote purple.

 

[cshouston]

It comes down to tank size and other inhabitants of course, but the bristletooth tang is a great option. It should be less expensive than a purple tang, though, assuming similar size. Either the purple tang is a value, in which case maybe you should go for it, or the bristletooth is overpriced.

 

[Silverfish]

Dispositions are different. Purple is much more aggressive. Well at least mine is. Be sure to put them in toward the end of your fish list if your putting in more docile Inhabitant. Good luck!

 

[Miller535]

Maybe I am wrong in my assumption, but I am assuming that the OP has already taken into consideration his tank size and other inhabitants when narrowing down his choices to these two fish.

 

[cshouston]

Well, considering the fact that the purple tang gets a lot bigger than the bristletooth, it would be helpful to know their tank size before making a proper recommendation.

 

[Silverfish]

Never assume anything.

 

[fishguy242]

bristle tooth

 

[AcanthurusRex]

WTB is a better worker. The WTB has a well develop scalpel. The convict has survived three major slashes like this one and many minor ones. The clown survived a similar slash. The yellow tang didn't fare as well.

 

[MERKEY]

WTB is a better worker. The WTB has a well develop scalpel. The convict has survived three major slashes like this one and many minor ones. The clown survived a similar slash. The yellow tang didn't fare as well.

I had no clue the WTB had this capability,natures crazy. Give a little normally peaceful fish a knife and watch out!

 

[Miller535]

I had no clue the WTB had this capability,natures crazy. Give a little normally peaceful fish a knife and watch out!

Geez, me either. I would definitely pass on that fish then.

 

[Squidward]

Purples are mean and can be bullies. My White Tail Bristletooth is constantly grazing and swimming. A lot of action from him. He'll even go swim around my powerhead in a loop for a few rounds which is kind of hilarious.