Blue-Lipped Bristletooth (Ctenochaetus cyanocheilus)
Fish in the family Acanthuridae. Moderate care. Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
A small surgeonfish with a dark brown to olive body and distinctive bright blue lips and mouth area that give this species its common name. The body is slightly compressed laterally with small, brush-like teeth adapted for grazing on algae. Adults typically reach 5–7 inches in the aquarium.
Diet and feeding
Feed high-quality marine algae sheets (nori), vegetable-based flake and pellet foods, and occasional blanched vegetables. Provide grazing opportunities by maintaining healthy algae growth on rocks, and supplement with dedicated herbivore pellets 2–3 times daily.
Difficulty and care for the Blue-Lipped Bristletooth
Moderate care required. This tang is generally hardy and peaceful but demands excellent water quality, stable conditions (72–78 °F, 1.023–1.025 SG, pH 8.1–8.3), and ample grazing material. A minimum 75-gallon tank is needed; larger aquariums are preferable to maintain stable water chemistry and algae production.
Common health issues
Marine ich, lateral line erosion (often linked to poor nutrition or water quality), head and lateral line erosion (HLLE), fin rot
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific from the Great Barrier Reef, Indonesia, and Philippines westward through Micronesia and Polynesia to Hawaii. Found in coral reef environments, typically at depths of 5–50 meters.
Log Blue-Lipped Bristletooth in your reef tank
Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Blue-Lipped Bristletooth alongside everything else in your reef.
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