Kole Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus) Care Guide

A hardy brown tang with a distinctive golden ring around the eye and fine horizontal lines across the body.

Overview

Ctenochaetus strigosus is a species in the family Acanthuridae. A hardy brown tang with a distinctive golden ring around the eye and fine horizontal lines across the body. One of the best algae-eating tangs for reef aquariums, using its bristle-like teeth to comb algae from rocks. More peaceful than most tangs.

Taxonomy

Family: Acanthuridae
Genus: Ctenochaetus
Scientific name: Ctenochaetus strigosus
Other names: Yellow Eye Tang, Goldring Bristletooth
Origin: Pacific Ocean

Habitat

Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll. Inhabits coral and rocky reefs at depths of 1-113 m. Diet consists almost entirely of detritus and microalgal film grazed from hard substrates; the comb-like teeth give the genus its common name "bristletooth tangs".

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 300 L
Temperature: 24-27 °C
pH: 8.1-8.4
GH: 8-12 °dGH
Water flow: strong
Adult size: 14-18 cm
Lifespan: 8-12 years
Difficulty: beginner

Diet

Classified as herbivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: peaceful
Swimming level: middle
Compatible tank mates: Clownfish, Royal Gramma, Firefish Goby, Wrasses
Avoid with: Other Bristletooth Tangs

Reef compatibility

Generally classified as reef-safe: does not feed on stony or soft corals, tridacnid clams or ornamental shrimps under normal conditions.

Breeding

Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
Breeding difficulty: advanced