Flame Fin Tomini Bristletooth Tang

The Flame Fin Tomini Bristletooth Tang is a compact, highly active saltwater fish known for its warm brown-to-gray body, brilliant orange edging along the dorsal and anal fins, and contrasting pale tail. As it matures, Ctenochaetus tominiensis develops the streamlined profile and specialized bristle-like teeth characteristic of the bristletooth tangs, allowing it to continually rasp film algae and organic material from rock surfaces.

Native to coral-rich reefs of the Western Central Pacific, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the northern Great Barrier Reef, Solomon Islands, Palau, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Tonga, this marine aquarium fish is an excellent choice for established reef aquariums. Its manageable adult size, active grazing behavior, and generally good compatibility with corals make it especially appealing for aquarists looking for a smaller tang for a properly sized reef or fish-only aquarium.

While usually well behaved with unrelated tankmates, its temperament can become territorial around other tangs and similarly shaped surgeonfish. A mature aquarium with abundant live rock, open swimming space, and a varied algae-based diet will provide the best long-term environment.

Quick Care Guide

Care Level: Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Herbivore / Detritivore
Reef Safe: Yes
Region: Western Central Pacific
Scientific Name: Ctenochaetus tominiensis

Tank Requirements

Provide a mature saltwater aquarium with plenty of established live rock for grazing along with generous open swimming areas. Although the Tomini Bristletooth Tang remains smaller than many other surgeonfish, it is an active swimmer and benefits from a tank with a long horizontal footprint rather than a tall, narrow layout.

Arrange rockwork with caves and sheltered areas where the fish can retreat at night or when startled, while keeping clear swimming lanes through the display. Established rock surfaces are particularly valuable because this species spends much of the day scraping film algae, biofilm, and organic material.

Moderate to strong water movement, efficient filtration, and high dissolved oxygen are recommended. Maintain stable water quality and avoid introducing this tang into a newly established aquarium with little natural grazing material. A secure cover is also advisable, especially during acclimation.

Diet and Feeding

In its natural habitat, the Flame Fin Tomini Bristletooth Tang grazes algae and small organisms associated with algae-covered reef surfaces. Its specialized mouth is particularly well suited to scraping fine film algae and detrital material rather than consuming large quantities of long, coarse macroalgae.

In captivity, provide a varied diet centered around marine vegetable matter. Offer dried nori or other marine algae sheets, spirulina-based pellets, quality herbivore pellets, and frozen foods formulated for grazing marine fish. Mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and mixed frozen marine blends can be offered as supplemental foods.

Feed several small portions throughout the day when practical, while allowing the fish to graze naturally on established rockwork between meals. Consistent access to nutritious algae-based foods helps maintain body condition and coloration.

Temperament and Tankmates

The Tomini Bristletooth Tang is generally peaceful toward unrelated community fish but should be considered semi-aggressive because of its territorial behavior toward other surgeonfish. Aggression is most likely with other bristletooth tangs or fish with a similar body shape and feeding niche.

Keeping a single specimen is recommended for most aquariums. Multiple tangs are best attempted only in substantially larger systems with abundant swimming space, separate territories, and multiple feeding locations.

Suitable tankmates include clownfish, wrasses, gobies, blennies, anthias, cardinalfish, dwarf angelfish, and many other peaceful to moderately assertive marine species. When adding multiple tangs, careful introduction order and close observation are important.

Reef Compatibility

The Flame Fin Tomini Bristletooth Tang is considered reef safe and is generally an excellent addition to established reef aquariums. It does not normally consume healthy corals, clams, ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, or other common reef invertebrates.

Its continual grazing can also help manage fine film algae and organic buildup on exposed rock surfaces. As with any grazing fish, maintaining an appropriate supplemental diet is important rather than relying on naturally occurring aquarium algae as its sole food source.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 75–80°F
Specific Gravity: 1.024–1.026
pH: 8.1–8.4
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Maintain stable conditions rather than frequently adjusting the aquarium in pursuit of exact numbers. Consistent salinity, temperature, pH, strong oxygenation, and good overall water quality are particularly important for long-term surgeonfish health.

Common Considerations

• Reaches approximately 6 inches as an adult and requires ample horizontal swimming space despite being one of the smaller commonly kept tangs.

• May become territorial toward other tangs, particularly other Ctenochaetus species and similarly shaped surgeonfish.

• Performs best in a mature aquarium with established rockwork and natural grazing surfaces.

• Requires regular algae-based foods even when visible algae is available in the aquarium.

• Like other surgeonfish, it has a sharp caudal spine near the base of the tail and should be handled with care.

Flame Fin Tomini Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)

The Flame Fin Tomini Tang is a compact, algae-grazing powerhouse with striking golden accents and an elegant, angular silhouette. Native to reef slopes across the Western Pacific, this species features a dusky brown body offset by bright yellow to orange fins and distinctive tail streamers. It’s one of the few surgeonfish suitable for smaller reef tanks, offering both utility and beauty.

Tank Requirements

A minimum of 55 gallons is recommended, though larger tanks are preferred for adult specimens. Provide open swimming space paired with live rock for grazing and shelter. Strong, stable water quality and good oxygenation are key to long-term health. These tangs benefit from steady flow and appreciate tanks with high algae availability or regular supplemental feeding.

Color, Personality, and Hardiness

Flame Fin Tomini Tangs are eye-catching yet practical, combining vivid fin coloration with nonstop algae control. They are active, alert, and generally peaceful, though they may become territorial with other tangs—especially similar-shaped bristletooth species. Hardy and disease-resistant, they adapt quickly to captivity and are a reliable addition to community reef systems.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily herbivorous, Tomini Tangs thrive on a diet rich in marine algae and vegetable matter. Feed a mix of dried seaweed (nori), spirulina, and algae-based pellets, along with occasional mysis or brine shrimp. Regular grazing keeps their digestive system healthy—offer multiple small feedings daily if algae is limited in the display.

Tankmates and Behavior

Peaceful and reef-safe, this species integrates well into mixed reef communities. Avoid housing with other tangs unless in larger tanks (100+ gallons), as they may defend grazing territory. They will not harm corals or inverts, making them ideal for reef setups. Their industrious algae-eating habits help maintain a clean, balanced aquarium ecosystem.