Juvenile Chevron Tang WYSIWYG
Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis
The Chevron Tang is one of the most distinctive and sought-after surgeonfish in the marine aquarium hobby. It lives on rocky reefs and outer slopes across the Pacific, most famously around Hawaii, and juveniles are vivid orange crossed by electric-blue chevron lines that run along the body like fine pinstripes. As it matures, the fish slowly darkens to a deep chocolate brown, almost black, covered in delicate olive-gold lines. Watching that change is part of what makes keeping one so rewarding. The Chevron Tang grows to about 11 inches (28 cm). It is reef safe and does best in a large, well-established aquarium with plenty of open swimming room and mature rockwork to graze.
The Chevron Tang is a bristletooth tang, so instead of cropping macroalgae it combs film algae and detritus off rock and glass with its specialized teeth. It works as a useful cleanup crew member that is far more striking than most. It readily accepts a varied diet of marine algae, nori and quality herbivore pellets, supplemented with frozen foods. It is generally peaceful toward other fish but can be territorial toward other tangs, especially those of similar shape. Because of its limited collection range and dramatic color change, the Chevron Tang is a prized centerpiece for reef aquarists with the space to give it room to roam.
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Safe: Yes
Maximum Size: 11 inches (28 cm)
Diet: Herbivore
Origin: Hawaii, Central and Western Pacific
