Description
Aquarium Requirements:
- Tank Size: 70 gallons (265 L) minimum for a single adult; 100+ gallons (380+ L) recommended for long-term health
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
- pH: 8.1–8.4
- Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: <20 ppm
- Water Flow: Moderate, varied (8–12× tank volume per hour)
- Lighting: Moderate (PAR 100–200); encourages natural algae film growth
Size & Lifespan:
- Adult Size: 8–10 inches (20–25 cm)
- Lifespan: 8–15 years with consistent grazing opportunities and stable water quality
Behavior & Tank Mates:
- Peaceful, active forager; spends most of the day rasping algae from rocks and glass
- Low aggression; can be kept singly, in pairs, or small groups (3–5) in 150+ gallons
- Compatible with:
- Clownfish, chromis, gobies, blennies, dartfish, small wrasses
- Other Ctenochaetus or peaceful tangs if introduced together in large systems
- Avoid: overly aggressive fish, fin-nippers, or tanks lacking algae growth
- 100% reef-safe – will not touch corals, clams, or invertebrates
- Small, rarely used caudal spine – minimal risk to tank mates
Diet & Feeding:
- Strict herbivore specialized in fine turf algae, diatoms, and detritus
- Feed 3–4 times daily in small portions:
- Nori or dried seaweed on a clip (staple food)
- Algae-based pellets and flakes (Ocean Nutrition Formula Two, NLS AlgaeMAX)
- Blanched leafy greens (spinach, romaine, kale)
- Occasional spirulina-enriched frozen foods or gel diets
- Essential: Requires mature live rock with established microalgae and biofilm; supplement with algae reactor or refugium if needed
Additional Care Notes:
- Prone to Marine Ich, velvet, and HLLE – mandatory 4–6 week quarantine
- Drip acclimate slowly (2+ hours); sensitive to salinity and pH swings
- Stripes and color fade under stress or poor nutrition – vibrant lines return with rich algae diet
- Thrives in established, “seasoned” systems with natural food sources
- One of the best glass and rock cleaners in the hobby
- Provide flat grazing surfaces, open swimming space, and a few hiding spots
- UV sterilizer and robust filtration strongly recommended
- Wild-caught only – not captive-bred
- A functional, low-drama addition that keeps reefs clean and balanced
