Hawaiian Bristletooth (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis)
Fish in the family Acanthuridae. Moderate care. Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
A small bristletooth tang with an olive to dark brown body, becoming lighter ventrally. The fish displays a characteristic bristle-like tooth comb visible when feeding on algae, and features a distinctly compressed laterally flattened body shape typical of Ctenochaetus species.
Diet and feeding
Primarily grazes on benthic algae and detritus in captivity. Offer quality herbivorous preparations, nori, spirulina-based foods, and dried seaweeds 2-3 times daily. Supplement with live rock and established macroalgae growth to sustain natural feeding behavior.
Difficulty and care for the Hawaiian Bristletooth
Moderate difficulty. Requires stable water conditions and adequate algae forage or supplemental herbivorous feeds. Generally hardy once acclimated, but less forgiving of poor water quality or inadequate diet than larger tangs.
Common health issues
Marine Ich, Fin Rot, Swim Bladder Disorder, Hole in Head Disease, Columnaris Disease
Origin and habitat
Hawaiian Islands and adjacent Indo-Pacific reefs. Endemic to Hawaiian waters and nearby regions of the central Pacific.
Log Hawaiian 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 Hawaiian Bristletooth alongside everything else in your reef.
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