{"product_id":"two-spot-bristletooth-tang","title":"Two Spot Bristletooth Tang | Ctenochaetus binotatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Two Spot Bristletooth Tang is an attractive, hard-working surgeonfish that grazes detritus and film algae all day with its fine, comb-like teeth. It shows a smooth olive-to-brown body with fine blue speckling and two dark spots at the base of the fins. Reaching around 20 cm, it is an active, useful grazer for a medium to large reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis bristletooth tang lives on coral-rich slopes and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific, working over rock and rubble to lift detritus and algal film. Recreating this means providing mature live rock with grazing surfaces, open swimming room and steady, well-oxygenated flow in a settled, established system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is olive to chocolate brown, finely dusted with pale blue spots and lines, with two characteristic dark spots near the rear fins and often a yellow ring around the eye. Colour intensifies in a relaxed, well-fed fish. Like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp scalpel near the tail base. A healthy specimen is alert, full-bodied and grazing actively, with clear eyes and no pinched belly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful towards dissimilar fish but semi-aggressive towards other tangs, particularly other bristletooths and similar shapes. In a larger reef it mixes well with clownfish, wrasses, angels, chromis and other community species. Keep only one Ctenochaetus per tank unless the system is very large.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding should be mostly herbivorous. Its bristle teeth are made for grazing film algae and detritus, so offer dried marine algae and nori on a clip, algae-based flakes and pellets, and a rotation of herbivore foods. Occasional meaty foods such as mysis are taken. A well-fed tang holds its colour and is less likely to nip at stony corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of 265 L, with 340 L or larger recommended given its adult size and activity. Maintain temperature at 24–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Strong, well-oxygenated flow and mature live rock suit it well. Good filtration, a protein skimmer and regular water changes support this active grazer. Surgeonfish are prone to white spot, so stable water quality and quarantine are advised. This species is reef safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is not achieved in the home aquarium. Surgeonfish are open-water spawners with drifting planktonic larvae, which cannot be replicated in home conditions. The focus should be on long-term health, correct herbivorous feeding, excellent water quality and low stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCtenochaetus binotatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTwo Spot Bristletooth Tang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific coral reefs and lagoons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 20 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOften 8 years or more with excellent care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive, especially to other 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\u003e265 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e340 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; film algae, detritus, marine algae and nori\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26°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 established reef aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe\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\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, wrasses, angels, chromis, anthias, gobies and other robust reef fish of differing shape in an established aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs, especially other bristletooths, except in very large systems, and with highly aggressive fish that will harass it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234125889827,"sku":null,"price":67.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234125922595,"sku":"AA1786","price":77.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234125955363,"sku":null,"price":87.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-22cm)","offer_id":55351924261155,"sku":null,"price":97.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Two_Spot_Bristletooth_Large_Ctenochaetus_binotatus_e98775d5-450b-4e4f-a772-ff0dafe95cb1.jpg?v=1781681475","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/two-spot-bristletooth-tang","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}