Which Ctenochaetus?

[EvMiBo]

I've narrowed it down to 3 different species: Squaretail (C. truncatus), Kole (C. strigosus), and Tomini (C. tominiensis) (in no particular order). I'm attempting to get the best grazer but also friendly.

This will be the 2nd to last fish introduced to the 135g (48x24x27.5). I wanted to have a yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) as the last fish (two tangs total). Please advise as to whether the tank is large enough / suitable as well as which Ctenochaetus you would choose.

 

[Dmorty217]

Tomini for sure, you will be fine with a yellow tang in that tank size too

 

[chipchip]

I have a tomini in my 170g tank. I added him after the yellow tang and he did well.. Then my yellow tang died after 3 years (I don’t know why). The tomini tang became more aggressive the last few months and I don’t know why. He attacks almost every new fish I add. Last week I added a pair A. clarkii (the female is almost as big as the tang) and he attacked her. She had a deep cut after the attack.

I don’t know why he became that aggressive (he is the only tang in the tank)

 

[EvMiBo]

Tomini for sure

Thanks for the replies everyone. Dmorty, do you mind expanding on why the Tomini is the best choice?

 

[Moort82]

I'd go for Kole, if you aren't an algae blenny, they seem the most laid back of the three. Have read several reports of aggressive Tomini's once they mature.

 

[rachenbrazil]

I would to for yellow eye. Easier to find a tiny one and much more mellow in long run. I had a tomini for 6 years and when get large in 3 year it was very agressive to any new fish. Now growing up a yellow eye for about 6 months and he is very mellow for sure...

 

[Wonton Soup]

My kole isn't aggressive to all of my fish but he is particularly picky about where a couple of the smaller ones are allowed to hang out. My kole hates my sleeper goby with a passion!
My yellow and lieutenant tang are both older and were added first so they rarely pay attention to the kole's antics.
Beautiful fish though!

 

[EvMiBo]

I do have a starry blenny. Kole seems to be the most popular. I was kind of intrigued by the squaretail but there seems to be a lack of people with them, so it's tough to predict what their behavior would be. Great responses so far - thanks to everyone.

 

[DopeCantWin]

I do have a starry blenny. Kole seems to be the most popular. I was kind of intrigued by the squaretail but there seems to be a lack of people with them, so it's tough to predict what their behavior would be. Great responses so far - thanks to everyone.

That type of Blenny and a Tang from that group is a bad mix. I tried it in a 210, wouldn't do it again.

 

[EvMiBo]

That type of Blenny and a Tang from that group is a bad mix. I tried it in a 210, wouldn't do it again.

Wouldn't help that the Ctenochaetus would be introduced close to last?

 

[DopeCantWin]

Wouldn't help that the Ctenochaetus would be introduced close to last?

Doubt it. I had them in my 90 at first. The Blenny was having the time of his life until I introduced a Kole. The real problem is they go after the same food.

 

[EvMiBo]

Seems like I'm SOL then. Would I have the same problem with Zebrasoma?

 

[DopeCantWin]

Seems like I'm SOL then. Would I have the same problem with Zebrasoma?

Seems not. Check out http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2279668

 

[EvMiBo]

Yeah I was never really worried about the compatibility of the yellow tang, just wanted to make sure.

I'm usually not one to push the envelope like this but I would like to still give this a try. I've read some people are having success with tangs introduced last, especially if the blenny is larger than the tang. Also, tbh in the 2+ years I've had the starry blenny I've only seen it actively eat algae under 10 times.

By no means am I saying this will work but I'm going to give it a shot with a small as possible Ctenochaetus (still unsure which one but leaning towards Kole), in an attempt to develop the desired behavior.

Also, in your opinion - would I have a higher chance of success if the yellow tang was introduced at the same time as the Ctenochaetus or after?

Thank you so far for all of the input. I realize that my response might frustrate some since I'm pushing my luck and going somewhat against your advice. If I see early aggression without quick improvements I will find a new home for the Ctenochaetus, my fiancé is too much in love with the starry blenny.