🟤 Kole Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus)

The Kole Tang, also called Yellow Eye Tang or Goldring Bristletooth, is one of the best tangs for smaller reef aquariums. This excellent algae grazer is hardier than most tangs, stays smaller, and has a more peaceful temperament. It's an ideal "first tang" for many hobbyists.

📋 Quick Facts

✅ Why Kole Tangs are Great

• Smaller size - Suitable for medium tanks
• Hardier than most tangs - More disease resistant
• Excellent detritus grazer - Unique comb-like teeth
• Peaceful - Less aggressive than Zebrasoma/Acanthurus
• Affordable - Reasonably priced
• Hawaii specimens - Often captive-conditioned

🏠 Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: 70 gallons minimum; 90+ ideal
• Aquascape: Plenty of live rock for grazing
• Water Flow: Moderate to strong
• Substrate: Benefits from sand bed to graze

Water Parameters

🍽️ Diet & Feeding

Kole Tangs are specialized herbivores with unique bristle-like teeth designed for scraping algae and detritus from surfaces.

Primary Diet (80%)

• Film algae - Their specialty; graze constantly
• Nori/Seaweed sheets - Offer daily
• Spirulina foods - Flakes, pellets
• Detritus - Natural part of diet

Supplementary (20%)

• Mysis shrimp - Occasional protein
• Quality pellets - NLS, TDO
• Frozen herbivore mix

Feeding Notes

• Feed 2-3 times daily
• Keep nori available
• Will constantly graze tank surfaces
• Soak food in vitamins for best health

🐟 Compatibility

Excellent Tankmates

• Clownfish
• Wrasses
• Gobies and blennies
• Anthias
• Dwarf angels
• Most community fish

Use Caution

• Other Ctenochaetus tangs - May squabble
• Very aggressive fish - Can bully the peaceful Kole

Generally Compatible

• Other tang genera (Zebrasoma, Acanthurus) - Usually fine
• Can often be kept with dissimilar tangs

⚠️ Health Considerations

• Ich susceptibility: Still susceptible, though less than some tangs
• Quarantine: 4-6 weeks recommended
• HLLE: Can occur with poor diet

💡 Tips for Success

• Excellent first tang for medium-sized tanks
• Quarantine even though they're hardier
• Keep with live rock that grows natural algae
• Great at cleaning film algae others miss
• Hawaiian specimens are well-conditioned
• Add before more aggressive tangs

📚 Summary

The Kole Tang is the perfect entry point into tang keeping. Its smaller size, hardier constitution, and peaceful nature make it suitable for tanks as small as 70 gallons. As a specialized detritus and film algae grazer, it provides excellent cleaning services while adding subtle beauty with its golden-ringed eye and unique coloration. For aquarists wanting their first tang, the Kole is hard to beat.