What is the minimum tank size for a Kole Tang?

A minimum tank size of 250 litres (about 65-70 gallons) is required. They are active swimmers and need plenty of live rock to graze on throughout the day.

Can I keep more than one Kole Tang in the same aquarium?

It is not recommended. Kole Tangs are highly territorial towards their own kind and other tangs in the Ctenochaetus genus. They should generally be kept as solitary tangs unless housed in a massive public-style aquarium.

Will a Kole Tang eat hair algae?

Kole Tangs are better known for eating film algae, diatoms, and detritus rather than long, stringy hair algae. Their bristle-like teeth are designed for sweeping surfaces clean, not for tearing long strands.

Are Kole Tangs reef safe?

Yes, they are considered completely reef safe. They will spend their time grazing on the rocks and aquarium glass, ignoring corals and mobile invertebrates.

How often should I feed my Kole Tang?

In a mature tank with plenty of natural algae, supplemental feeding once or twice a day is sufficient. Always provide a clip of dried nori (seaweed) so they have a constant food source to graze on.

MarineMarineIntermediate

Kole Tang

Ctenochaetus strigosus

The Kole Tang is a highly industrious and beautiful surgeonfish, renowned for its distinctive yellow eyes and relentless appetite for nuisance film algae.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 26 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.02 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 15 – 18 cm
250L minimum: 250 litres+
Lifespan: 5 – 10 years
Diet: Herbivore
Water flow: Strong
Preferred setup: Mature live rock setup with plenty of grazing surfaces and swimming space

About the Kole Tang

Ctenochaetus strigosus, commonly known as the Kole Tang or Yellow-eyed Tang, is one of the most popular surgeonfish in the marine aquarium hobby. Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, this species features a handsome burgundy-brown body overlaid with fine horizontal lines and a striking bright yellow ring around each eye. They belong to a specialized genus known as the bristle-tooth tangs, which possess flexible, comb-like teeth designed to sweep detritus and film algae from rocky surfaces. Their relatively modest adult size makes them a more practical choice for home aquaria compared to larger surgeonfish species.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Kole Tang comes from

Native range

Central Pacific

Countries / regions

United States

Habitat

Shallow coral reefs and rocky lagoons with abundant microalgae growth.

Endemic exclusively to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll.

Similar species

Indian Ocean Kole Tang
Ctenochaetus truncatus
Chevron Tang
Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis
Tomini Tang
Ctenochaetus tominiensis

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Peaceful fish that occupy different swimming zones and dietary niches, leading to zero competition.
Great
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
Dwarf angelfish generally coexist well with tangs provided the tank is spacious enough to accommodate both territories.
Great
Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Provides a natural cleaning service that the Kole Tang will actively utilise to keep parasites at bay.
Great
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Both are territorial herbivores. They can coexist in very large aquaria but may fight over food and territory in smaller setups.
Compatible with caution
Chevron Tang
Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis
Mixing tangs from the same genus almost always results in severe, sometimes fatal, territorial aggression.
Not recommended

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