Welcome to the first issue of the Fish & Chips Monthly Newsletter.

Scientific Name:

Ctenochaetus strigosis.

Similar to fellow genus member the Chevron Tang (Ctenochaetus hawaianensis).

Home Aquaria:

Fish Only with hiding places and reef tanks. Recommended for 55 gallon tank or larger. They can grow to 7 inches. This fish will swim all over the aquarium (top, middle, bottom). Friendly to inverts and other fish, even members of it’s own species. Koles are usually kept singly. Some report they can be kept in pairs, but I rarely hear of anyone having more than one in a tank.

Foods & Feeding:

Ctenochaetus tangs are called "bristletoothed", "bristlemouths", or "combtoothed" because of their teeth and mouth shape and their grazing of the rocks, glass, and substrate. They actually scrub or polish the live rock while grazing. They will graze continuously.

Majority of hobbyists find Koles to be algae eaters, but some hobbyists have noted behavior that may suggest they are detritivores and only grazing through the algae looking for detritus.

They eat different types of algae than the Zebrasoma Tangs (Yellow, etc.). Many owners will keep a Ctenochaetus and Zebrasoma in the same tank as they will combat different algaes and will really do an effective job of keeping a tank clean. Owners have reported their koles eating the following: cyanobacteria (red slime), diatoms (dust like coating on tank), brown algae, and green algae.

CRYPTOCARYON - Cryptocaryon irritans is a parasitic infection where white spots appear on the body and fins. Fish will scratch themselves against rocks and breathing may become rapid if gills are affected. Treatment can be done by copper or other anti-parasite remedies, but this is incompatible with inverts. Cleaner shrimps and wrasses will remove the parasites, but may not keep up with a major infestation. Cryptocaryon is often referred to as the marine equivalent of the freshwater white spot disease, Ichthyophthirius, or Ick.

CYANOBACTERIA - Cyanobacteria is commonly referred to as red slime algae by hobbyists although it is not really an algae.  Poor water quality with excessive nutrients are the usual causes.  To combat, do frequent water changes, siphon out detritus, and use a good protein skimmer.

DETRITIVORES - Animals that eat detritus. Common detritivores are urchins, stars, hermits, etc.

DETRITUS - Piles of organic compounds that accumulate in the aquarium. Commonly will contain fish wastes, fragments of rock, leftover food, among other things. Usually detritus will accumulate in low water flow areas, sumps, etc.

DIATOM - A diatom is any of a class of microscopic one-celled algae having walls of silica consisting of two interlocking valves.

GENUS - In the taxonomy classification, the genus is the category ranking below a family and above a species.

HEAD AND LATERAL LINE EROSION - Also known as hole-in-head disease and lateral line disease. A fish with this condition will develop holes in it’s head and sometimes along it’s lateral line. The main cause is nutritional deficiency, especially vitamin C. Stress and poor water quality also play a role. Untreated cases will cause disfiguring or death. To combat and cure, ensure good water quality and provide vitamin enriched foods, especially vitamin C.

INVERTEBRATE - Commonly called inverts by many in the hobby. Invertebrates are animals without backbones like anemones, corals, shrimps, snails, and crabs.

LATERAL LINE - The lateral line is a line of perforated scales along the flanks of a fish which lead to a pressure-sensitive nervous system. This enables the fish to detect vibrations in the surrounding water caused by other fish and their own reflected vibrations against obstacles.

TAXONOMY - The classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships.