Red Stripe Kole Tang - Ctenochaetus striatus

Red Stripe Kole Tang (Ctenochaetus striatus)

The Red Stripe Kole Tang is an active and attractive marine surgeonfish recognised for its fine horizontal body striping, subtle reddish-brown colouration and constant grazing behaviour. As a member of the bristletooth tang group, it uses specialised comb-like teeth to rasp algae, diatoms and organic film from rockwork throughout the day. Hardy once established and generally suitable for reef aquariums, it requires a spacious, mature system with plenty of swimming room and established grazing surfaces.

Common Name:
Red Stripe Kole Tang, Striated Surgeonfish, Lined Bristletooth

Scientific Name (Latin):
Ctenochaetus striatus

Maximum Size:
Approximately 25 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Red Stripe Kole Tang has a broad Indo-Pacific distribution and is associated with coral reefs, lagoons and seaward reef environments.

It commonly inhabits areas with abundant hard substrate and algal growth, where it spends much of the day grazing across rock and reef surfaces.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Semi-Aggressive

The Red Stripe Kole Tang is generally peaceful towards unrelated reef fish but can become territorial towards other tangs, especially other Ctenochaetus species or fish with a similar body shape and grazing niche.

It is usually best kept as the only bristletooth tang unless the aquarium is exceptionally large and introductions are carefully managed.

Diet:
Herbivore / Detritivore / Algae Grazer

The Red Stripe Kole Tang spends much of its day grazing algae, diatoms, detritus and organic films from rockwork.

In the aquarium, provide regular access to naturally growing algae alongside dried nori, spirulina-based foods, quality herbivore pellets and marine flakes.

A varied diet containing some frozen mysis or other marine foods can also be offered, but plant-based and grazing foods should form the foundation of its diet.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 400 litres

The Red Stripe Kole Tang is an active swimmer that requires substantial horizontal swimming space alongside mature rockwork for grazing.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Red Stripe Kole Tang is highly active during daylight hours and spends much of its time moving around the aquarium while grazing continuously from live rock and other hard surfaces.

Its specialised bristle-like teeth allow it to remove fine algae and detrital films that many other herbivorous fish overlook.

Provide extensive open swimming areas together with mature rockwork containing plenty of established grazing surfaces and sheltered areas for retreat.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe

The Red Stripe Kole Tang is generally considered reef safe and does not normally damage healthy corals, clams or established ornamental invertebrates.

Its constant grazing behaviour can be especially useful in reef aquariums for controlling film algae and maintaining cleaner rock surfaces.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
A mature marine aquarium with plenty of established live rock and natural algae growth is strongly recommended.

Provide regular supplementary algae foods even when natural grazing is available, as continuous feeding helps maintain healthy body condition.

Like other surgeonfish, this species possesses sharp defensive spines near the base of the tail. Care should therefore be taken during handling and aquarium maintenance.

Avoid keeping it with highly aggressive tankmates or multiple similarly shaped tangs in restricted space.

Good oxygenation, strong filtration and consistent water quality are important for long-term health.

Tangs can be susceptible to external parasites and stress-related disease, so careful acclimation, quarantine and a varied nutritious diet are strongly recommended.

Suitable for:
Intermediate

Availability:
Regularly available

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.