20-Bristletooth Tomini Tang
Ctenochaetus tominiensis
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 6"
Color Form: Tan
Diet: Herbivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Solomon Islands
Family: Acanthuridae
Tangs & Surgeons Part 3
The Bristletooth Tomini Tang, also known as the Tomini Surgeonfish is tan combined with yellow, blue, and white highlights as a juvenile. When mature, the body color solidifies, the tail becomes blue, and the dorsal and anal fins are tipped with a golden-yellow hue. The area above the eyes has small golden flecks while sporting a golden half circle beneath.
A 70 gallon or larger aquarium is necessary to provide plenty of swimming room. It is aggressive towards other Tangs, but peaceful with other fish.
Although Tangs will eat meaty foods along with the other fish in the aquarium, it is important that they are offered plenty of marine based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen their immune system, reduce aggression and improve their overall health. Offer dried seaweed tied to a rock or use a veggie clip, and feed at least 3 times per week. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad and Ocean Nutritionare all ideal products and are very easy to use.
Approximate Purchase Size: Tiny: 3/4" to 1-1/4", Small: 1-1/4" to 2", Small/Medium: 2" to 3"; Medium: 3" to 4", Medium/Large: 4" to 5"; Large: 5" to 6"
21- Mimic Lemon Peel Tang
Acanthurus pyroferus
Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 8"
Color Form: Blue, Yellow
Diet: Herbivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Sri Lanka
Family: Acanthuridae
The Mimic Lemon Peel Tang, also known as the Mimic Surgeon, or Chocolate Surgeonfish, has an oval, yellow body while a juvenile. It has blue highlights around the eyes and gill covers, mimicking the Lemonpeel Angelfish (Centropyge flavissimus). (Many of the Acanthurus sp.mimic angelfish.) When mature, the body color darkens towards tan with red highlights forming around the eyes and pectoral fins. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins take on the hues of green but remain tipped with the tan body color.
A 120 gallon or larger aquarium with large amounts of live rock is necessary to provide both plenty of swimming room, and territories within the live rock. It is aggressive towards other Tangs and Surgeonfish, but is peaceful with other fish.
Although Tangs will eat meaty foods along with the other fish in the aquarium, it is important that they are offered plenty of marine based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen their immune system, reduce aggression and improve their overall health. Offer dried seaweed tied to a rock or use a veggie clip, and feed at least 3 times per week. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad and Ocean Nutritionare all ideal products and are very easy to use. These are great fish for controlling algae in the saltwater fish or reef aquarium.
Approximate Purchase Size: Juvenile: Small: 1-1/2" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 2-3/4"; Large: 2-3/4" to 3-1/2"; Adult: Small: 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"; Small/Medium: 2-1/2" to 3-1/4"; Medium: 3-1/4" to 4"; Large: 4" to 6"
22- Lavender Tang
Acanthurus nigrofuscus
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 8"
Color Form: Black, Orange, Purple, Tan
Diet: Herbivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Hawaii
Family: Acanthuridae
The Lavender Tang, also known as the Spot-Cheeked Surgeonfish, travels in large schools on the reefs of Hawaii. This beautiful fish is colored in tones of lavender and tan, and has multiple orange spots on the face. The orange spots give away to many small black spots covering the rest of the body, and the tail is forked.
A 125 gallon aquarium or larger is necessary to provide plenty of swimming room. Live rock is preferred by this species for grazing, and will provide plenty of structure for hiding places and territories. It is aggressive toward other Tangs and Surgeonfish, but peaceful with other fish.
Although Tangs will eat meaty foods along with the other fish in the aquarium, it is important that they are offered plenty of marine based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen their immune system, reduce aggression and improve their overall health. Offer dried seaweed tied to a rock or use a veggie clip, and feed at least 3 times per week. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad and Ocean Nutritionare all ideal products and are very easy to use.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2-1/2" to 4-1/2"
23-Two Spot Bristletooth Tang
Ctenochaetus binotatus
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 8"
Color Form: Blue, Tan
Diet: Herbivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Africa, Fiji, Sumatra, Vanuatu
Family: Acanthuridae
The Two Spot Bristletooth Tang is a colorful orange-brown fish with blue lines. It also has blue spots on its head and 2 black spots at the base of its dorsal and anal fins. This beautiful fish will make an excellent addition to your reef aquarium.
A 70 gallon or larger aquarium is necessary to provide plenty of swimming room. It is aggressive towards other Tangs, but peaceful with other fish. Although Tangs will eat meaty foods along with the other fish in the aquarium, it is important that they are offered plenty of marine-based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen their immune system, reduce aggression, and improve their overall health. Offer dried seaweed tied to a rock or use a veggie clip, and feed at least 3 times per week. Sea Veggies,Seaweed Salad and Ocean Nutrition are all ideal products and are very easy to use.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small; 1" to 2-3/4"; Small/Medium: 2-3/4" to 3-1/4"; Medium; 3" to 4"; Medium/Large: 4" to 5"; Large; 5" to 6"; XLarge: 6" to 7"
24-Orange Stripe Bristletooth Tang
Ctenochaetus cf. striatus
Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 10"
Color Form: Blue, Brown, Orange, Yellow
Diet: Herbivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Sumatra
Family: Acanthuridae
The Orange Stripe Bristletooth Tang is the only member of the genus to be found extending as far as the Red Sea. It has orange spots along an olive body with wavy blue lines extending head to tail. Ctenochaetus tangs have a protruding mouth with bristle-like teeth they can move individually in order to sift, sort, and scrape in search of food.
A 150 gallon or larger aquarium is necessary to provide plenty of swimming room. It is aggressive towards other Tangs and may be harassed by its own species, but is peaceful with other fish and sessile invertebrates. It is best to house only one specimen per tank.
Although Tangs will eat meaty foods along with the other fish in the aquarium, it is important that they are offered plenty of marine based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen their immune system, reduce aggression and improve their overall health. Offer dried seaweed tied to a rock or use a veggie clip, and feed at least 3 times per week. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad and Seaweed Selectsare all ideal products and are very easy to use. These are great fish for controlling algae in the saltwater fish or reef aquarium.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2-1/4"; Medium: 2-1/4" to 3-1/4"; Large: 3-1/4" to 4"
25-Squaretail Bristletooth Tang
Ctenochaetus truncatus
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 6½"
Color Form: Brown, Orange, Yellow
Diet: Herbivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Africa, Sri Lanka
Family: Acanthuridae
One of the most vibrantly-colored of its genus when young sporting a vibrant yellow body, these fishes are aptly named truncatus in reference to thier short tail fin which lacks the normal pointed tips that are prevelent in all other species of the genus Ctheochaetus.
The Squaretail Bristletooth Tang boasts a brown to orange body with pale blue to bright yellow spots on the head, body, and base of the dorsal fin. The outer part of the eye is ringed in bright yellow. Ctenochaetus tangs have a protruding mouth with bristle-like teeth they can move individually in order to sift, sort, and scrape in search of food.
A 70 gallon or larger aquarium is necessary to provide plenty of swimming room. It is aggressive towards other Tangs and may be harassed by its own species, but is peaceful with other fish and sessile invertebrates. It is best to house only one specimen per tank.
Although Tangs will eat meaty foods along with the other fish in the aquarium, it is important that they are offered plenty of marine based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen their immune system, reduce aggression and improve their overall health. Offer dried seaweed tied to a rock or use a veggie clip, and feed at least 3 times per week. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad and Seaweed Selectsare all ideal products and are very easy to use. These are great fish for controlling algae in the saltwater fish or reef aquarium.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"; Small/Medium: 2-1/2" to 3"; Medium: 3" to 4"; Medium/Large: 4" to 5" Large: 5" to 6"
26-Moorish Idol
Zanclus cornutus
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, 78-80° F, sg 1.021-1.023
Max. Size: 7"
Color Form: Black, White, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Tahiti, Vanuatu
Family: Zanclidae
The Moorish Idol is also commonly known in Hawaii as "Kihikihi" which means "curves," "corners," or "zigzags," and refers to its shape and color pattern. It is the only member of the family Zanclidae, and a very close relative of the Tangs or Surgeonfish. One of the most widespread fish, it can be found throughout the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and all of the tropical Pacific. Wild specimens can attain a length of 7 inches, but 4 inches is more likely in the aquarium.
The Moorish Idol tends to be very peaceful. Due to its size, schooling nature, and need for swimming space, it requires a large aquarium of at least 125 gallons. As its beauty is most evident while swimming, giving it adequate room is well rewarded. It is compatible with most fish and larger invertebrates, but should not be kept with any polyps or corals, which it will eat. Small invertebrates may be threatened as well.
The Moorish Idol is a very difficult fish to feed. Live rock with large amounts of algae and sponges on which it can feed will help it acclimate. Then offer a varied diet of finely chopped meaty items, mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, Spirulina, and algae. It should be fed several times a day.
Perhaps the most graceful of all marine fish, for many hobbyists, it is also one of the most difficult fish to keep because it is so difficult to feed. For all but the most expert hobbyist, it is better admired in the ocean or in a public aquarium rather than in a home tank.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 3" to 3-1/2"; Medium: 3-1/2" to 4-1/2"; Large: 4-1/2" to 5-1/2"
