Description
Starry Kole Tang – Ctenochaetus marginatus
Overview:
The Starry Kole Tang is a rare and beautiful bristletooth surgeonfish, featuring a dark brown to purplish body adorned with fine golden spots and streaks, along with bold blue fin margins. Hardy and active, this algae grazer is both functional and eye-catching in reef aquariums.
Origin:
Native to the Pacific Ocean, especially around Hawaii and the Central Pacific islands, where it inhabits reef slopes and lagoons.
Feeding:
Primarily herbivorous, feeding on film algae and detritus with its bristle-like teeth. Offer a diet rich in nori, spirulina, and algae-based foods, supplemented with mysis or enriched brine shrimp for variety.
Tank Mates:
Excellent for peaceful reef communities. Avoid mixing with other tangs of similar shape unless housed in a large aquarium to minimize territorial disputes.
Aggression:
Generally peaceful, though may display mild aggression toward other surgeonfish, particularly bristletooth tangs, if confined in smaller tanks.
Experience Level:
Beginner to intermediate aquarists – hardy and relatively small compared to other tangs, making it more manageable while still requiring stable water conditions.
Water Parameters:
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Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
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pH: 8.1–8.4
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Salinity: 1.020–1.025
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Minimum Tank Size: 75+ gallons
The Starry Kole Tang is a functional algae grazer with striking star-like patterns, perfect for aquarists seeking both utility and beauty in their reef aquarium.
