Tomini Tang

The Tomini tang is a "bristletooth" tang of the same genus (Ctenochaetus) as the kole tang. The mouth of this genus is equipped with flexible, comb-like teeth suited to combing the thin layer of algae and detritus from rock and sand surfaces. Its body is dark gray–brown; the rear tips of the dorsal and anal fins are bright orange, and the tail fin is pale whitish. It is the only species of the genus with angular dorsal and anal fins. In juveniles the tail is forked; in adults it is crescent-shaped.

Because it stays small and is reef-safe, it is one of the most suitable tangs for medium-sized aquariums. Specimens are wild-collected; the area around Tomini Bay (Sulawesi), from which it takes its name, is one of the known collection regions.

It lives on steep, coral-rich reef walls along sheltered coasts in the West-Central Pacific, alone or in small groups. It feeds on algae and the small organisms living among the algae.

• Volume: At least 300 liters and 120 cm in length.
• Water: Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C. High oxygen, moderate to strong flow.
• Maturity: An aquarium at least a few months old with an algae film on the rocks; in a newly set-up, spotless system it cannot find surfaces to graze.
• Reef compatibility: Reef-safe; it leaves corals, shrimp and snails alone.

Herbivorous. It combs the rock surfaces all day; in addition, granules and flakes containing spirulina and seaweed, and dried seaweed (nori), should be offered. Frozen mysis or brine shrimp can be added a few times a week. Feed small amounts in 2–3 meals a day.

A tang that can be considered peaceful; but it can be cantankerous towards its own kind and similarly dark Ctenochaetus species. It usually gets along with tangs of different shape and color if there is enough space.

Good companions: Clownfish, dwarf angelfish, anthias, fairy and flasher wrasses, gobies, blennies; in a large aquarium, a tang of a different genus (e.g. Zebrasoma).

Avoid: A second Ctenochaetus (including the kole tang), large and aggressive triggerfish, lionfish.

Kept as a single specimen in the aquarium.

A species that releases pelagic eggs; the larvae develop in the plankton. It does not breed in the home aquarium.

• Marine white spot and velvet: Common in tangs; quarantine is essential.
• Starvation: It loses condition in an immature aquarium; a sunken belly is the first sign.
• Head and lateral line erosion (HLLE): Can be seen when green food is lacking.

Cannot be reliably distinguished externally.