From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Kole Tang
Ctenochaetus strigosus
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- Salinity
- 1.02 – 1.026 SG
- Min. tank size
- 300 L
- Lifespan
- 8-15 years
- Diet
- herbivore
- Care level
- moderate
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Ctenochaetus strigosus |
| Family: | Acanthuridae |
| Origin: | Pacific (Hawaii and surrounding reefs) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | herbivore |
| Max Size: | 15.00 cm |
| Water Type: | marine |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Reef Safe: | Reef Safe |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | Can be kept alone |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains — this is a wild-caught fish, and since it is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll, its supply is tied entirely to the Hawaiian fishery. That fishery has been restricted in recent years, which has affected availability and price for Hawaiian endemics generally. Colour varies modestly with mood and maturity, from purplish to brown, with slender light blue longitudinal lines and the yellow eye-ring that gives the alternative name yelloweye tang. The genus Ctenochaetus contains several similar detritus-sifting tangs in the trade: C. tominiensis, the Tomini tang; C. binotatus; and C. hawaiiensis, the chevron tang, whose juveniles are spectacularly marked and quite unlike the adults. All share the comb teeth and the same feeding role, and none of them should be kept two to a tank. |
| Lifespan: | 8-15 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Medium
- Min Tank:300 L
- Substrate:Live rock with film algae to graze
- Plant Safe:Yes
- Filtration:High (strong flow; clean water)
Kole Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus) is a species of fish in the family Acanthuridae. It is native to Pacific (Hawaii and surrounding reefs). The kole tang is the tang that earns its place. Where most surgeonfish scrape or tear at macroalgae, Ctenochaetus species have fine, bristle-like comb teeth and use them differently: the kole sifts diatoms, film algae and detritus off rock, sand and glass, working surfaces that other grazers ignore. The specific name strigosus means "slender", after those teeth. It reaches 15 cm standard length, which makes it one of the smaller tangs, and it is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll — a much more restricted range than most reef fish in the trade. It is also one of the most heavily collected species in the Hawaiian aquarium fishery.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Can be kept alone
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
- Reef
- Reef Safe
Species similar to Kole Tang
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