Tomini Tang Care Guide
Ctenochaetus tominiensis is a small Western Pacific bristletooth surgeonfish, yellowish-brown with a white tail and yellow fin margins, reaching about 16 cm.
Overview
Ctenochaetus tominiensis, the Tomini bristletooth of the family Acanthuridae, is a small surgeonfish that is yellowish-brown with a white caudal fin and broad yellow margins to the dorsal and anal fins. It has uniquely angular rear ends of the dorsal and anal fins for its genus. FishBase records a maximum standard length of 16 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Acanthuridae
- Genus: Ctenochaetus
- Scientific name: Ctenochaetus tominiensis
- Described by: Randall, 1955
Habitat
The species is marine and reef-associated in the Western Central Pacific — Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the northern Great Barrier Reef, Solomon Islands, Palau, Vanuatu and Fiji, with records from Tonga. It occurs singly or in small aggregations on steep drop-offs with dense coral growth in inshore, sheltered waters, with FishBase recording depths of 0-45 m, usually 3-25 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L (79 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Strong water flow
- Lifespan: 10-25 years
Diet
Ctenochaetus tominiensis feeds on algae and the microfauna living among the algae, using its comb-like bristle teeth to rasp the film from surfaces. In aquaria it should be offered marine algae and dried seaweed multiple times daily.
Compatibility
A semi-aggressive, diurnal mid-water swimmer, this small bristletooth occurs singly or in small groups. Its modest size makes it one of the more manageable surgeonfishes. Wrasses, clownfish, angelfish and sturdy triggerfish make suitable tankmates, while other tangs of similar shape should be avoided in smaller systems.
Reef compatibility
The species does not eat coral and is considered reef-safe, grazing detritus and film algae from rock. Maintain carbonate hardness of 8-12 dKH and specific gravity of 1.024-1.026.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2010 via FishBase.