White-Tail Bristletooth Tang

The White-Tail Bristletooth Tang is the smallest commonly available member of the Ctenochaetus genus and one of the most suitable tang species for moderately sized reef aquariums. Reaching a maximum size of only about 6 inches, it can be comfortably housed in tanks as small as 70 gallons, making it accessible to a wider range of aquarists than most tang species. Adults display a dark brown to olive-brown body with subtle blue-gray horizontal lines and a distinctive pale white to yellowish-white tail that gives the species its common name.

In the wild, the White-Tail Bristletooth Tang is found across the Pacific Ocean, primarily in the Central and South Pacific around French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa. It inhabits shallow to moderately deep reef slopes and lagoons, where it methodically grazes on detritus, microalgae, and organic film coating rock surfaces. Like all Ctenochaetus species, it possesses specialized flexible, comb-like bristle teeth that are adapted for scraping fine material from surfaces rather than cropping larger algae strands. This makes it an exceptionally effective cleaner of live rock surfaces.

The White-Tail Bristletooth Tang is an ideal tang for aquarists who want the algae-grazing benefits of a tang but lack the space for larger species. Its small adult size, peaceful temperament, and hardy constitution make it one of the most beginner-friendly tang species available. It is completely reef-safe, rarely shows aggression toward tankmates, and adapts readily to captive conditions. For nano-to-medium reef keepers who have always wanted a tang but been deterred by size requirements, the White-Tail Bristletooth is an excellent solution.