Chocolate brown with a gold-washed face and bright yellow trim on the dorsal and anal fins. Stays modest in size, which makes it the honest answer for a reef tank that cannot host a full-grown tang.
Temperament
Common health issues
- Ich (white spot)
- Parasites
- Nutritional deficiency
- Fin rot
Care at a glance
- ExerciseHigh
A busy, energetic swimmer โ keep plenty of open swimming room.
- GroomingAttentive tank care
Sensitive to water quality โ stay on top of testing and maintenance.
- Living spaceNano-tank friendly
Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
- Owner experienceFor experienced owners
Rewards owners who know the ropes.
- Commitment8โ15 years
Plan for a long, loving relationship.
Health to watch: Ich (white spot) ยท Parasites ยท Nutritional deficiency
๐ Care guide
The Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis) comes from the western Pacific around Indonesia and the Solomon Islands and reaches only about 13 to 15 cm, small for a surgeonfish. It belongs to the bristletooth group, whose comb-like teeth are built for combing detritus and film algae off rock rather than tearing at long algae, which makes it a particularly useful reef cleaner. A 250 litre tank is a realistic minimum, at 24-27C, salinity 1.024-1.026, pH 8.1-8.4, with rockwork to graze and open water to swim. Feed dried algae sheets, spirulina pellets and occasional mysis, and give it plenty of established live rock to pick at throughout the day. It is peaceful for a tang, reef safe and a reasonable first surgeonfish for someone with a mid-sized reef, though it still needs quarantine because of the family's susceptibility to ich. Do not house it with other bristletooth tangs in a tank this size.
Frequently asked questions
How active is a Tomini Tang?
High. A busy, energetic swimmer โ keep plenty of open swimming room.
How much maintenance does a Tomini Tang need?
Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality โ stay on top of testing and maintenance.
What tank size does a Tomini Tang need?
Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
Is a Tomini Tang a good fit for first-time owners?
For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.
How long do Tomini Tang live?
8โ15 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.
What health issues affect the Tomini Tang?
Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Parasites, Nutritional deficiency. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.
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