Tomini Tang
Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)
The Tomini Tang is a hardy and compact surgeonfish, making it one of the best tang choices for smaller reef tanks. It features a rich brown body accented with golden-orange edging on the dorsal and anal fins and white highlights on the tail, giving it a refined yet striking appearance.
Native to the Indo-Pacific, the Tomini Tang is an active grazer that helps control nuisance algae while remaining peaceful with most tankmates. As a member of the bristletooth tang group, it uses its specialized teeth to scrape film algae from rocks and glass.
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Scientific Name: Ctenochaetus tominiensis
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Temperament: Semi-aggressive (territorial toward other tangs)
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Reef Safe: Yes
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Diet: Herbivore — thrives on marine algae, nori sheets, spirulina-based foods, and quality herbivore pellets
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Care Level: Easy to Moderate
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Max Size: ~6 inches
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Tank Size: 70+ gallons with plenty of open swimming space and live rock for grazing
Note: Best kept singly unless in a large system with multiple tangs introduced carefully. The Tomini Tang is hardy, adaptable, and well-suited for reef aquariums looking for a smaller algae-eating tang species.
