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Genus Ctenochaetus Bristletooth Tangs
Tantalizing Tangs with Strange Teeth

by Karen Talbot
A Striped Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus striatus)
by Karen Talbot

Fishes from the Family Acanthuridae are commonly known as surgeonfishes and tangs, and they are perennial favorites for marine aquarists. One genus in this family is the genus Ctenochaetus (pronounced ten-oh-key-tus), otherwise known as the bristletooth tangs. In this genus, you will find aquarium favorites like the blue eye tang (Ctenochaetus binotatus), the chevron tang (C. hawaiiensis), the flame fin tang (C. tominiensis), the spotted yellow eye tang (C. truncates), the striped bristletooth tang (C. striatus), and the yellow eye Kole tang (C. strigosus). These are beautiful fish that are as behaviorally interesting as they are beautifully colored.

What sets the tangs from the genus Ctenochaetus apart is their mouths and dentition. Looking again at the genus’ common name—bristletooth tangs—provides a clue (actually Ctenochaetus roughly translates as “comb bristle”) as to what sets these fishes apart. Look at a Ctenochaetus tang’s mouth, and you will see that it is turned out and protrudes from its face. Look inside its mouth and, rather than seeing fixed teeth, you will in fact find flexible, “comb-like” teeth. Why do they have this unusual dentition? If you watch a Ctenochaetus tang feed, you will understand that it is because of this adaptation that they can so easily lift and scrape soft algae (and all the good stuff in algae, which is why they are truly omnivores and not strictly herbivores as some people assume) from hard surfaces and substrate.
Ctenochaetus tangs are yet another good example of fishes whose behavior observed in the wild should not be the only guide in husbandry practices adopted by the aquarist. While seen in shoals in the wild, Ctenochaetus tangs should, as a general rule, not be kept with other members of the genus (although they may be kept with individuals from other genera of tangs). In terms of their compatability with other fishes, they are mostly peaceful fishes that are reef-compatible in so far as they usually leave sessile invertebrates (like coral) alone. If underfed, however, it is often noted that Ctenochaetus tangs will pick at large polyp stony corals.

Chevron Tang
Adult Chevron Tang (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis)



Flame Fin Tang

A Flame Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)

In conclusion, Ctenochaetus tangs are fantastic aquarium fishes if provided with the proper husbandry. They are boldly colored, display fascinating behavior and adapt well given the proper aquarium environment.

Published 18 August 2008. © Blue Zoo Aquatics

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