Whitetail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus Flavicauda)

Also Known As: Whitetail Bristletooth Tang

Compatibility and Behavior
What sets the Whitetail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus flavicauda) apart from the showier surgeonfish is what it does for a living. Where a Zebrasoma slices at macroalgae, this little Ctenochaetus works the rockwork with fine, brush-like teeth, methodically combing film algae, diatoms, and detritus off live rock, glass, and just about any hard surface it can reach. It is a genuinely useful fish and a good-looking one: a deep brown to smoky charcoal body dusted with fine speckling and a soft iridescent sheen under reef lighting, set off by a clean white tail and pale fin edging that pops against dark rock. Temperament tends toward peaceful, occasionally leaning semi-aggressive, and many hobbyists find it easier to house than the larger, bolder tangs. It is reef safe in the practical sense, spending its days grazing rather than picking at corals or ornamental inverts, though like most bristletooths it can get territorial toward other Ctenochaetus or similarly shaped grazers, so adding those particular tankmates is best handled with some care.

Aquarium Requirements
This is a fish for a mature reef. The bristletooth feeding style depends on a steady supply of biofilm and microalgae, so an established system with plenty of live rock keeps it grazing happily, where a brand-new tank often will not have enough on the rocks to sustain one. For smaller specimens in the 2 to 3 inch range, a tank around 100 gallons with a long footprint is a solid starting point, with larger systems preferred as the fish grows and for any multi-tang plans. Aquascape with open swimming lanes and porous, ledge-filled rock that maximizes grazing surface and gives it shaded spots to duck into. Beyond that the care is straightforward: moderate to strong, well-oxygenated flow, solid filtration, and stable water quality. Supplement the constant picking with regular offerings of nori and spirulina-based herbivore foods to keep it well fed and that dark-body-to-white-tail contrast crisp.

Specifications
Approximate Size: Sm: 2–2.5", Md: 2.5–3", Lg: 3–4", XL: 4–5"
Diet: Herbivore and detritivore; film algae, diatoms, detritus, nori, and spirulina-based prepared foods
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Intermediate
Reef Safe: Yes
Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons for small specimens, with a larger system required as it grows
Special Considerations: Needs a mature, well-established tank with abundant live rock and biofilm to graze; may be territorial toward other Ctenochaetus and similarly shaped tangs