Chevron Tang
Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis
A prized, hard-working surgeonfish renowned for its astonishing transformation from a brightly coloured, neon-orange juvenile to an understated, intricately patterned dark adult.
Ideal Conditions
- Temperature
- 24 – 28 °C
- pH range
- 8.1 – 8.4
- Hardness
- 8 – 12 dGH
- Salinity
- 1.023 – 1.026 SG
- Adult size
- 20 – 25 cm
- Adult minimum
- 600 litres+
- Lifespan
- 10 – 15 years
- Diet
- Herbivore/Detritivore
- Water flow
- Moderate to High
- Preferred setup
- Mature reef or FOWLR aquarium with extensive live rock for grazing.
About the Chevron Tang
The Chevron Tang is widely considered a holy grail species among marine aquarists, primarily owing to the stunning appearance of its juveniles. As members of the bristletooth genus (Ctenochaetus), they possess unique, comb-like teeth perfectly adapted for sweeping diatoms and detritus from rough surfaces. This feeding mechanism makes them exceptional members of a reef aquarium's clean-up crew. As they mature, they undergo one of the most dramatic ontogenetic colour shifts in the animal kingdom, settling into a subtle but beautifully textured adult form.
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Where Chevron Tang comes from
Native range
Central Pacific Ocean, Oceania
Countries / regions
United States (Hawaii), Micronesia, Palau
Habitat
Seaward reefs and stony coral surge zones with abundant algae growth.
Primarily endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, extending westward to Micronesia.
Similar species
Kole Tang
Ctenochaetus striatus
Tomini Tang
Ctenochaetus tominiensis
White Tailed Bristletooth Tang
Ctenochaetus flavicauda
We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.
Compatible tank mates
Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.
- Great
Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Occupies a different niche and will be completely ignored by the tang.
- Great
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Provides valuable cleaning services to the tang, helping manage external parasites, while remaining safe from predation.
- Compatible with caution
Kole Tang
Ctenochaetus striatus
Belongs to the same genus; extreme territorial disputes over grazing rights are highly likely unless the aquarium is exceptionally large.
- Compatible with caution
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
While from a different genus, both are surgeonfish. They can usually co-exist if introduced to a large enough tank simultaneously, but caution is advised.
- Not recommended
Other Chevron Tangs
Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis
Conspecific aggression is extremely high; keeping multiple Chevron Tangs in a standard home aquarium usually results in the death of the weaker fish.
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