Kole tang size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 14 cm. The largest on record measured 15.4 cm (standard length). The smallest of the 5 Ctenochaetus species on LumaReef (Lined Bristletooth is the largest, 26 cm).

Kole tang tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.

Kole tang water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Acanthuridae on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).

Kole tang tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 55 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Maroon clownfish, Diamond watchman goby, and Copperband butterflyfish.

Kole tang depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 1 to 113 m down. Deeper than most Ctenochaetus on LumaReef (1–60 m).

ReefIn the market400 coinsUncommon

Kole tang

Ctenochaetus strigosus

Never swims in the open; it hops across rock scraping up detritus.

The Kole tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus) is a tropical marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. It lives on and around reefs, between 1 and 113 m deep. Adults grow to about 14 cm; the largest on record measured 15.4 cm (standard length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 120 cm long and water at 23–27 °C.

Size: 14 cm
Smallest tank: 120 cm
Temperature: 23–27 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature23–27 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Herbivore
Activity: Busy
Water layer: Bottom
Group: Lives on its own
Coral: Reef safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litres15 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres32 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres60 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres72 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along55 species

and 31 more species

Caution44 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Lined seahorse

Crowding the same layer

Radiant wrasse

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Largest on record: 15.4 cmstandard length, tail fin excluded
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

1 m113 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderAcanthuriformes
FamilyAcanthuridae
GenusCtenochaetus
SpeciesCtenochaetus strigosus
Described byBennett, 1828

In other languages

English: Goldring Surgeonfish
German: Goldring-Borstenzahndoktorfisch
Spanish: Pez Cirujano Kole
Italian: Pesce chirurgo occhio giallo

Quick answers

Kole tang size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 14 cm. The largest on record measured 15.4 cm (standard length). The smallest of the 5 Ctenochaetus species on LumaReef (Lined Bristletooth is the largest, 26 cm).
Kole tang tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.
Kole tang water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Acanthuridae on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).
Kole tang tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 55 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Maroon clownfish, Diamond watchman goby, and Copperband butterflyfish.
Kole tang: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Kole tang and corals: is it reef safe?: Yes, it leaves corals alone.
Kole tang depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 1 to 113 m down. Deeper than most Ctenochaetus on LumaReef (1–60 m).