Bristletooth Tang

Description

🐠 Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus striatus) – The Reef Janitor with Personality!

📸 Image for reference only. Actual fish may vary in size, colouration, and pattern. Photos are representative and not of the exact specimen you will receive.

The Bristletooth Tang, also known as the Striated Surgeonfish, is a hardworking algae grazer that makes a fantastic addition to peaceful reef aquariums. With its understated beauty, unique bristle-like teeth, and active cleaning behavior, this tang is a must-have for hobbyists looking to maintain pristine live rock and substrate surfaces.

Recognised for its fine horizontal body striations, muted tan-to-brown body colour, and flickering iridescent blue highlights under proper lighting, the Ctenochaetus striatus is both functional and fascinating to watch. These fish constantly sift through detritus, film algae, and diatoms – making them one of the most efficient utility fish in the hobby.

🌊 Key Features:

• 🧹 Natural algae control – Exceptional grazer of film algae, detritus & diatoms

• 🐟 Subtle beauty – Fine striations and iridescent shimmer under reef lighting

• 💡 Peaceful temperament – Ideal for mixed reefs and peaceful community tanks

• 🌱 Reef-safe – Won’t nip at corals or invertebrates

• 🏡 Minimum tank size: 250L – Loves space to swim and graze

• 🧬 Scientific name: Ctenochaetus striatus

• 📏 Average size: 12–18 cm when fully grown

• 📍 Origin: Indo-Pacific – including the Red Sea, Great Barrier Reef, and East Africa

🧠 Care & Compatibility

The Bristletooth Tang is one of the more docile members of the tang family, making it suitable for community aquariums when housed with other peaceful species. However, like most tangs, it may show territorial behavior toward conspecifics or other algae-grazing tangs – especially in smaller tanks. To reduce aggression, avoid mixing it with other Ctenochaetus species unless you have a very large system.

This species thrives in established tanks with live rock and ample biofilm growth. It will also appreciate supplemental feedings of marine-based algae (such as nori), spirulina, and high-quality herbivore pellets or frozen foods.

🧪 Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 24–27°C

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Salinity: 1.023–1.025

• dKH: 8–12

Stable, clean water and mature biological filtration are key to the Bristletooth Tang’s health.

⚠️ Good to Know:

• 🌀 Active swimmer – Needs open water and high oxygenation

• 🪸 Rock work is essential – Provide plenty of hiding spaces and grazing surfaces

• 🧼 An excellent sand-sifter – Will pick at detritus and microalgae from substrate and rocks

• 🚫 Not suitable for nano or new tanks due to dietary needs and space requirements

The Bristletooth Tang is the ultimate reef janitor with a calm personality and efficient grazing habits. A wonderful choice for reefers who want to control algae naturally while enjoying the subtle charm and utility of this peaceful tang.

Add one to your reef and let this diligent grazer get to work! 🐟✨