Kole Tang

Ctenochaetus strigosus

FishMarine

The body is oval and laterally compressed, brown-green with light horizontal lines. The eyes are surrounded by a bright yellow ring. The caudal fin is crescent-shaped. It has a sharp caudal spine on each side of the tail. Juveniles have brighter coloration. In the aquarium, it is active and constantly swims in search of food. It is a gregarious fish that can live in groups in a large volume.

Recommended parameters

ParameterRecommended range
Temperature24–28
pH8.1–8.4
GH8–12
KH8–12
NO₃≤ 20
PO₄≤ 0.1

Care

Difficulty2/5
Dietherbivore
Min. tank300 L
Min. group1
Adult size15 cm
Lifespan8 ans
TemperamentPeaceful

Care notes

Maintain a temperature of 24-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, and salinity 1.020-1.025. A minimum 300-liter aquarium is recommended for one specimen. It is herbivorous and should be fed algae (nori, spirulina) and vegetable-based preparations. Avoid aggressive tankmates; it gets along with peaceful fish. A setup with live rock and hiding places is appreciated. Water quality must be excellent with nitrates <20 mg/L and phosphates <0.1 mg/L. Good oxygenation and moderate flow are necessary.