Tang/Bristletooth White Tail-Yellow Eye Kole

A favorite for reef aquariums, the Yellow-eyed Tang or Kole Tang eats a different kind algae than the other surgeonfish. Called 'bristle tooth' or 'Comb tooth' tangs due to their nature of feeding. They primarily eat detritus which contains minute algae rather than the filamentous algae eaten by other tangs. The Ctenochaetus species, referred to as both the Bristletooth or Combtooth Tangs, have several rows of small flexible comb like teeth (up to 30 teeth) along with a protrusive pouting mouth. They use their teeth to lift and sift through various types of algae and detrital material off of rocks, sand, and other surfaces and use their mouths to vacuum this food in. In the aquarium you will often see little lip marks on the glass where algae used to be.

   Like the others of its genus, the Yellow-eyed Tang or Kole Tang is one of the more peaceful surgeonfish making it a good companion in a community tank. It should not be housed with aggressive species but rather more peaceful fish. It can be kept with a variety of tank mates including some of the other genus' of surgeonfish. Its diet makes it a great complimentary companion for other peaceful surgeonfish such as the Yellow Tang or the Pacific Sailfin Tang in the Zebrasoma genus, though watch compatibility as it can be a target of aggressive tank mates and become stressed. Adults can reach 7.1 inches (18 cm).