Kole tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Spotted bristletooth, Goldring bristletooth, Goldring surgeonfish, Yellow-eyed surgeonfish, Yelloweye tang, Spotted surgeonfish
Family
Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes, tangs and unicornfishes)
Origin
Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll; coral, rock and rubble at 1–113 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
15 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
400 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
yes

Care

Tank: a reef tank with plenty of mature live rock for constant grazing. an estimated minimum of about 400 litres (our estimate from the adult size and habits). Water: our sources give no species-specific figures, so the values shown (24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, SG 1.023–1.026) are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific. Like other surgeonfish it needs well-oxygenated water with strong flow and stable quality. Behaviour: usually solitary. A useful algae and detritus picker. The article gives 15 cm standard length (body only, excluding tail), so the total length is a little more. Tangs are prone to marine white spot (Cryptocaryon irritans) and velvet, so quarantine new arrivals. Handling: like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp, scalpel-like blade on each side of the tail base that it raises when threatened and that can cut hands deeply. Move it in a container rather than by hand. Trade and status: one of the most heavily collected fish in Hawaii's aquarium trade; Hawaii has since restricted collection, which may affect supply. IUCN: Least Concern. Not CITES-listed. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ctenochaetusstrigosus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Uses bristle-like teeth to sift diatoms, algae and detritus from rock and sand. In the aquarium it spends the day picking at rock; supplement with nori, spirulina-based foods and some small meaty foods.

Breeding

Our sources give no breeding information; not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe and one of the milder tangs, but may chase other bristletooths or similar-shaped tangs.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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