Bristletooth Tomini Tang
Tangs are commonly referred to as surgeon fish due to having a sharp spine that looks like a "scalpel" at the base of their caudal (tail) fin that is used for protection, use caution when handling. Adults tend to live alone in the wild, so they should not be kept with fish that look similar, like other tangs. However, they should be peaceful towards most other tank mates. Species in this genus have a large number of bristle-like teeth that are used to scrape organic matter off the reef and substrates. The Bristletooth Tomini will grow to be about 6" in size. Full grown adults of this tang will need around 70 gallons; however, you can get away with smaller aquariums when they are juveniles. As this species matures its caudal tail will become bluer and its other fins will be outlined in yellow. They inhabit the steep coral-rich drop-offs in the sheltered coasts of the Western Central Pacific up to 45 meters deep.