{"product_id":"two-spot-bristletooth-tang-ctenochaetus-binotatus-saltwater","title":"Bristletooth Two Spot Tang (Ctenochaetus binotatus) | Live Saltwater Reef Fish","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe Bristletooth Two Spot Tang (\u003cem\u003eCtenochaetus binotatus\u003c\/em\u003e), also called the Two Spot Surgeonfish or Pencilled Bristletooth, is a peaceful, reef-safe tang named for the two distinctive dark spots near the base of its tail. Its dusky brown body is dusted with fine blue-white speckles that intensify with maturity, giving it a subtle, sophisticated look that pops against live rock. Like its Tomini cousin, it's one of the most easygoing tangs in the hobby — a hard-working algae grazer that won't pick at corals and rarely starts fights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eCare level is intermediate, mainly because — like all tangs — it needs swimming room and a steady supply of micro-algae to thrive long-term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eLooking for more saltwater fish? Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSaltwater Fish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSaltwater Supplies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 gallons minimum — needs swimming room and grazing surface area; 90+ gallons preferred long-term\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72–78°F (22–26°C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.020–1.025 sg (specific gravity)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003edKH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Herbivore — marine algae sheets (nori), spirulina-based pellets, frozen mysis, brine shrimp, and high-quality herbivore preparations. Feed multiple small meals per day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful — one of the more docile tangs; non-aggressive toward most tankmates\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef Compatible:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — bristletooth grazer that won't nip corals, clams, or invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMax Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~7 inches (18 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eBristletooth Two Spot Tang (Two Spot Surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCtenochaetus binotatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eAcanthuridae (Surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eWild-caught: Indo-Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eHerbivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Compatible\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e7–10+ years in captivity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax Adult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e~7 inches (18 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eSaltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eTwo Spot Bristletooth Tangs are reef-safe and one of the more peaceful tangs available, making them excellent community reef inhabitants. Like all tangs, only one tang per tank is recommended unless the tank is very large (180+ gallons) and additional tangs are added simultaneously and from different genera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood tank mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clownfish, gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, dwarf and pygmy angels, peaceful wrasses, firefish, anthias, peaceful damsels, and most reef invertebrates (shrimp, snails, hermit crabs, corals).\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Other Bristletooth tangs (especially Tomini Tang or Kole Tang in smaller tanks), aggressive triggers, large angels that pick at corals, and any aggressive or predatory fish that could harass a slim, peaceful grazer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eMarine algae sheets \u0026amp; herbivore foods\u003c\/a\u003e — primary diet for daily grazing\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-mixes\"\u003eReef salt mixes\u003c\/a\u003e — keep salinity stable during water changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/additives-supplements\"\u003eReef additives \u0026amp; supplements\u003c\/a\u003e — alkalinity, calcium, and trace elements\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003eWater care \u0026amp; conditioners\u003c\/a\u003e — for stable parameters\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eWater testing kits\u003c\/a\u003e — monitor reef parameters regularly\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is this different from a Tomini Tang?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey're closely related Bristletooths in the same genus and behave similarly — peaceful, reef-safe algae grazers. The Two Spot has the namesake pair of dark dorsal\/ventral spots near the tail; the Tomini has bright yellow fin tips. Two Spots also tend to grow slightly larger (~7\" vs ~6\"). Both are excellent first tangs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. As a bristletooth grazer it eats film algae, diatoms, and detritus from rock and sand surfaces. It will not pick at corals, clams, or invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does it eat?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrimarily an herbivore that grazes constantly. Offer marine algae sheets (nori) clipped to the glass daily, plus spirulina pellets, frozen mysis, and quality herbivore preparations. Adequate algae and varied feeding are critical to long-term health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat tank size do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e75 gallons is the practical minimum, with 90+ gallons recommended for long-term housing in a mature reef. They're active, fast swimmers and need linear length to cruise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep it with another tang?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn most home aquariums, only one tang per tank is recommended. In tanks 180 gallons or larger, multiple tangs from different genera can sometimes coexist when added together — but Two Spots are best kept as the only Bristletooth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541098246363,"sku":"1315577","price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/tooth.png?v=1777473128","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/two-spot-bristletooth-tang-ctenochaetus-binotatus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}