{"product_id":"flame-fin-tomini-tang-ctenochaetus-tominiensis-saltwater","title":"Flame Fin Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eFlame Fin Tomini Tang\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCtenochaetus tominiensis\u003c\/em\u003e), sold interchangeably as the Tomini Tang, Flame Fin Tang, Bristletooth Tomini Tang, or Tomini Surgeonfish, is the tang to buy when you want a real algae grazer but not a real algae grazer's attitude. It stays around 6 inches, tops out well below the size of an Acanthurus or a Naso, and is one of the few tangs that behaves itself in a mixed reef. The body is tan shading to olive with a dusting of fine blue speckling, and the dorsal and anal fins are edged in the bright golden-orange that earns it the flame fin name. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes it genuinely useful is the mouth. Bristletooth tangs have comb-like teeth built for scraping film algae and detritus off rock rather than tearing at longer macroalgae, so a Tomini works the surfaces a Yellow or Purple Tang tends to ignore. It grazes all day, constantly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eChoose Your Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;\"\u003eSmall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRoughly 1.5 to 2.5 inches. Settles into a new tank readily and grows into the display with you.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;\"\u003eSmall-Medium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRoughly 2.5 to 3.5 inches. More established, more colour already showing, and a sturdier fish for a tank that already has tangs in it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth are the same species and need the same care. Larger fish handle competition better; smaller fish adapt to a new system a little faster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70 gallons and up, with a long footprint. Tangs are open-water swimmers and need horizontal run more than volume.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablished tank required:\u003c\/strong\u003e this is the one real requirement. A Tomini feeds on film algae and biofilm, so it wants a mature system with live rock that has something growing on it. Do not put one in a tank that finished cycling last week.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e herbivore. Offer dried seaweed on a clip several times a week plus a quality marine pellet and frozen mysis. Grazing on the rock supplements the diet, it does not replace it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e peaceful for a tang, and reef safe with corals and inverts. It will still square up to another bristletooth, so add only one per tank unless the system is very large.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, salinity 1.020 to 1.025, pH 8.1 to 8.4. Tangs are sensitive to nitrate and poor water quality, so keep up with changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow and oxygen:\u003c\/strong\u003e strong flow and good gas exchange. Tangs are high-energy fish and appreciate an oxygen-rich, well-circulated tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid recommended:\u003c\/strong\u003e startled tangs jump. Cover the tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFlame Fin Tang, Tomini Tang, Flame Fin Tomini Tang, Bristletooth Tomini Tang, Tomini Surgeonfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCtenochaetus tominiensis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAcanthuridae (surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWestern Pacific reef slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate, needs an established tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, one of the mildest tangs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 6 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e70 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHerbivore, film algae grazer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSaltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood with clownfish, gobies, blennies, wrasses, cardinalfish, dottybacks, and most peaceful community reef fish. It ignores corals and will not bother ornamental shrimp, so it fits a mixed reef without qualification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe one rule is other tangs. Keep a single Tomini unless you have a large system, and be careful pairing it with another bristletooth such as our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scopas-tang-zebrasoma-scopas-saltwater\"\u003eScopas Tang\u003c\/a\u003e, since same-shape tangs are what trigger territorial squabbles. Introduce tangs together rather than one at a time when you can.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDried seaweed sheets on a feeding clip, the staple for any tang\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mysis-shrimp-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Frozen Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e for protein a few times a week\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pe-pellets-saltwater-1mm-2oz\"\u003ePiscine Energetics Saltwater Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e as a dry daily food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater\u003c\/a\u003e selection for tankmates and reef supplies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the Flame Fin Tang the same thing as a Tomini Tang?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. \u003cem\u003eCtenochaetus tominiensis\u003c\/em\u003e is sold under both names, plus Bristletooth Tomini and Tomini Surgeonfish. Same fish, different shop labels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it eat hair algae?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome, but do not buy it as a hair algae solution. Bristletooth teeth are built for film algae, diatoms, and detritus on rock. For long hair algae a Zebrasoma such as a Yellow or Scopas Tang is the better tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep it in a 55 gallon?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe would not. It only reaches 6 inches, but tangs swim constantly and need horizontal distance. 70 gallons and up with a long footprint is the honest minimum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it really reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It grazes rock surfaces and leaves corals and inverts alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre tangs prone to ich?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSurgeonfish are more susceptible than most reef fish, which is why stable temperature, low stress, and good nutrition matter. Everything we sell goes through our in-store quarantine first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":48948725809371,"sku":"FTAFL200AA-2","price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small-Medium","offer_id":48948725842139,"sku":"FTAFL200AA-3","price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/TominiTang_0f839725-e6d9-413c-9397-1d3ef61c7c28.png?v=1777381101","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/flame-fin-tomini-tang-ctenochaetus-tominiensis-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}