Is the Tomini Tang safe to keep with corals?

Yes, the Tomini Tang is considered entirely reef-safe. It will spend its time grazing on algae covering live rock and glass without showing any interest in nipping at soft or stony corals.

Can I keep two Tomini Tangs together in the same tank?

It is highly discouraged unless you have a phenomenally large aquarium (thousands of litres). In standard home aquariums, they will display severe, often fatal aggression towards conspecifics and other bristletooth tangs.

Will a Tomini Tang eat hair algae?

Not usually. Because of their specialized sweeping teeth, they are much better at consuming thin film algae, diatoms, and detritus rather than long, stringy green hair algae (GHA).

Why is my Tomini Tang losing its vibrant colour?

Fading colours in tangs are typically a sign of stress, poor water quality, or a nutritional deficiency. Ensure you are providing plenty of marine algae (such as nori) and check your water parameters, particularly for high nitrates.

How quickly does a Tomini Tang grow?

They have a moderate growth rate. A juvenile purchased at 5 cm can be expected to reach its adult size of roughly 15 cm within three to four years, provided it receives an excellent diet and pristine water conditions.

MarineMarineIntermediate

Tomini Tang

Ctenochaetus tominiensis

The Tomini Tang is a vibrant and industrious bristletooth surgeonfish prized for its unparalleled algae-grazing capabilities and distinctive orange-tipped fins.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 27 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.02 – 1.025 SG
Adult size: 14 – 16 cm
litres: 280 litres+
Lifespan: 10 – 15 years
Diet: Herbivore
Water flow: Moderate to High
Preferred setup: Mature reef or FOWLR with abundant live rock for grazing and hiding places.

About the Tomini Tang

Hailing from the sheltered reef slopes of the Western Central Pacific, the Tomini Tang (*Ctenochaetus tominiensis*) is arguably one of the most practical and attractive additions to a medium-to-large marine aquarium. Known for its utilitarian grazing habits, it remains slightly smaller than many of its more boisterous surgeonfish relatives, typically maxing out at around 16 cm. Its subdued base colour beautifully highlights the striking, fiery edges of its dorsal and anal fins, making it a subtle yet captivating centrepiece.

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Where Tomini Tang comes from

Native range

Western Central Pacific

Countries / regions

Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu

Habitat

Coral reefs, particularly steep drop-offs and sheltered slopes with abundant coral rubble and algal growth.

Commonly found at depths between 3 and 45 metres.

Similar species

Kole Tang
Ctenochaetus strigosus
Chevron Tang
Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis
White Tail Bristletooth Tang
Ctenochaetus flavicauda
Two Spot Bristletooth Tang
Ctenochaetus binotatus

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, occupies a completely different ecological niche and swimming zone, reducing any territorial tension.
Great
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Safe from predation by the herbivorous tang, and provides beneficial cleaning services that tangs actively seek out.
Great
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Different genus, but similar body shape and diet may lead to significant territorial disputes in smaller aquariums.
Compatible with caution
Lawnmower Blenny
Salarias fasciatus
Direct competitor for benthic algae and biofilm. The tang may become aggressive towards it if food is scarce.
Compatible with caution
Kole Tang
Ctenochaetus strigosus
Belonging to the same genus and having an identical feeding methodology makes severe, often fatal, aggression highly likely.
Not recommended

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