Bristletooth Tang Juv

About this fish

Bristletooth Tang Juv is a juvenile marine tang identified as Ctenochaetus strigosus. As a bristletooth “sifter,” it helps keep algae under control by grazing and filtering material using fine bristles. It’s a practical choice for a saltwater aquarium that already has established live rock and a bit of natural film/algae for the tang to pick at, plus supplemental algae-based foods to support long-term health.

Features:

• Bristletooth design is built for grazing and sifting, making it well-suited for aquariums with rock surfaces and natural growth
• Generally active swimmers that benefit from stable water quality and an aquarium with plenty of swimming and rock coverage
• Often more manageable than some larger tangs when introduced to an established system, though any tang can show aggression toward the same species
• A strong option for feeding schedules centered on algae and algae sheets (with routine supplemental veggie foods)
• Best kept in a mature, well-filtered saltwater setup to reduce stress and support consistent grazing
• Juveniles are typically easier to acclimate than adults, but still need careful acclimation to salinity and temperature differences

Specifications:

• Care level: Moderate (needs stable, mature saltwater conditions)
• Scientific name: Ctenochaetus strigosus
• Adult size: Often around 6–8 in (15–20 cm)
• Diet: Primarily algae/plant matter; also accepts algae-based foods (e.g., nori/seaweed and herbivore-prepared diets)
• Water temperature: About 72–78°F (22–26°C)
• Salinity: About 1.020–1.025 specific gravity
• pH: About 8.1–8.4
• Water quality: Well-oxygenated, well-filtered, with minimal ammonia/nitrite and low nitrate for best results