{"product_id":"indian-kole-tang-ctenochaetus-truncatus","title":"Indian Kole Tang | Ctenochaetus truncatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Indian Kole Tang is the Indian Ocean relative of the popular Kole Tang, and one of the best natural grazers for a reef aquarium. Its warm orange-brown body is covered in small pale spots, and a bright yellow ring circles each eye. Reaching around 16–18 cm, it spends its day working over the rock removing film algae and detritus, making it a practical and attractive tang for medium to large reef systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCtenochaetus truncatus is found only in the Indian Ocean, from Kenya and South Africa to Oman, the Maldives and the Andaman Sea, and at Australia's Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. It lives on sheltered reef crests and slopes among large corals, usually at depths of 1–21 m. Indian Ocean fish were once counted as the same species as the Hawaiian Kole Tang, until scientists separated them in 2001.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe body is orange-brown, covered in small pale blue to yellow spots on the head and body, rather than the fine lines of the Hawaiian Kole Tang. A yellow ring circles the eye and the tail is squared off. Juveniles can be entirely bright yellow. As with all surgeonfish, a sharp, scalpel-like spine sits at the base of the tail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful towards most tank mates but will fight other bristletooth tangs and similar-looking tangs, so keep only one per tank. It has been reported to chase small gobies and blennies, so watch these closely. It spends its time in the middle and lower levels of the tank, grazing the rockwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrimarily a grazing herbivore and detritivore, using fine, comb-like teeth to sweep algae, diatoms and detritus from the rock. Offer dried marine algae (nori) on a clip and spirulina or algae-based foods, with occasional mysis or krill. A mature tank with established algae growth gives it natural grazing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of 400 L, with 500 L or larger recommended for swimming room and stability. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Provide good flow, mature live rock and stable water quality. As with all tangs, stable conditions and good nutrition help guard against marine ich, a common parasite of reef fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBreeding does not occur in the home aquarium. Surgeonfish spawn in open water and produce drifting larvae that require open-ocean conditions, and this species is not available captive-bred.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCtenochaetus truncatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndian Kole Tang (Indian Gold-ring Bristletooth, Squaretail Bristletooth)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndian Ocean, including Australia's Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 16–18 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLong-lived with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful; territorial to similar tangs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore\/detritivore: algae, nori and film algae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedium to large reef systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, anthias, wrasses, dwarf and larger angelfish and other peaceful to robust reef fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other bristletooth or similar-looking tangs, and keep a close eye on small gobies and blennies.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55613647683875,"sku":"AA5573-S-IMP","price":132.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55613648208163,"sku":"AA5573-M-IMP","price":152.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55613648240931,"sku":"AA5573-L-IMP","price":175.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/indian-kole-tang-ctenochaetus-truncatus.webp?v=1790467238","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/indian-kole-tang-ctenochaetus-truncatus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}