The Tomini Tang and Its Place in a Marine Aquarium

Tangs are one of the staples in the marine aquarium hobby and for good reason. Vibrant colors, patterns, personality, ease of purchasing, subdued cost and hardiness for the most part all factor into the equation making many species of Tangs an excellent choice for the saltwater aquarist. Yellow, Purple, Naso, Hippo, Sailfin, Chevron and Powder Blue and Brown Tangs tend to overshadow some of the lesser known Tangs that definitely rival them in color, hardiness and price. The Tomini Tang is one such fish that demands our attention and consideration for that one more fish or to diversify your population of livestock.

The Tomini Tang, otherwise known as Flame Fin, Bristletooth Tomini or Orange Fin Tang is a member of the Surgeonfish family. Characterized by their slender, oval and colorful body with a sharp spine on both sides of their caudal peduncle used for protection and aggressive dominance.

Ctenochaetus Tominiensis or Tomini Tangs vary little from juvenile to adulthood. Blue, yellow and white hues intermingled throughout as juveniles whereas as an adult, the colors become more pronounced with a blueish tail, brownish body and yellow/orange tip on the dorsal and anal fins. A half moon yellow patch is evident below the eye with subdued spots above it.

Tomini Tangs hail from Indonesia, Fiji and the Solomon Islands and inhabit the shallow reef regions surrounding the islands.

The size obtainable by Tomini Tangs is roughly 6 inches. This makes the Tomini one of the smaller species of Tangs similar to most Zebrasoma species and the Bristlemouth(Kole) Tang. Certain Tangs will exceed 10 inches or more making them unsuitable to life in a smaller aquarium. Tomini Tangs will do well in a tank greater than 75 gallons. The larger the better, since they spend the majority of life in the wild grazing on various forms of algae that grows on rock and coral formations from reef to reef. Because of this, the main staple of Tomini Tangs, and Tangs in general, is a varied algae diet complimented with a protein food source such as Mysis or Brine Shrimp, clam, Arctic pods, formula and flake foods. High class sources of algae are crucial for the growth, health and success of a Tomini Tang in captivity for any length of time. The Tomini Tang will become become sick developing hole in the head/lateral line disease and drab coloration and eventually die without a substantial vegetable diet. Tangs are notoriously known as ICH magnets contacting this dreaded parasite at the drop of a nail. Tomini Tangs are no different hence the need for proper diet, reduced stress, stable water temperatures and the addition of a garlic and vitamin C supplement added to their food two to three times a day.

Tangs have a tendency of being territorial especially in the confines of a smaller aquarium. The order in which your Tomini Tang is added to your aquarium is also important in curbing this aggressive behavior. Adding the most aggressive fish and even larger species of fish last should help boisterous behavior as well. Tangs also don't handle being confined in an aquarium with other similar species of Tangs for the most part. For instance, the addition of a Tomini Tang, Chevron or Kole Tang to an aquarium already housing a Tomini Tang 9 times out of 10 will ultimately open up the door for disaster with the death of one or more of the Tangs, consequently, being the end result. Similar events will unfold with other same or similar body style Tangs such as multiple Yellow Tangs or a Purple and a Sailfin Tang being introduced at various times.

Mixing a Tomini Tang with, say a Naso, Yellow, Powder Blue, Sohal or Orange Shoulder Tang will provide a better combination, higher likelihood of success and less chance of aggression being portrayed. This isn't to say that a very large aquarium, or the addition of multiple juvenile Tangs added at the same time won't work, it's just that the percentages decrease under those circumstances. As is with humans, personality changes and differences can also contribute to boisterous behavior, even in those animals normally not associated with that style of demeanor.

The best chance of maintaining a Tomini Tang in your aquarium is to ensure that compatibility and husbandry requirements are met. The proper selection of a healthy specimen right from the get go starting from place of collection through the shipping process to maintenance at your local pet shop will provide you with a jump start in the right direction towards housing a Tomini Tang in your aquarium for many years to come.