Yellow Eye Kole Tang

Yellow Eye Kole Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus) is a semi-aggressive species that is reef-safe as it poses no threat to corals or most invertebrates, focusing primarily on detritus and fine algae grazing. This popular species displays a brown to tan body with intricate horizontal stripes and distinctive bright yellow rings around the eyes that give it its common name, plus the characteristic bristle-like teeth that allow it to scrape fine algae and detritus from surfaces. The prominent yellow eye rings and striped body pattern make it one of the most recognizable and sought-after bristletooth tangs in the aquarium trade. It can reach about 7 inches in adult size. Best kept in tanks of at least 75 gallons or more due to their active grazing behavior and territorial nature toward other tangs, with plenty of live rock for grazing, strong water flow, excellent water quality, and appreciation for their exceptional algae-cleaning abilities that make them invaluable members of the reef cleanup crew. Its diet should include a mix of marine algae—nori sheets, spirulina, dried seaweed, algae pellets—as well as high-quality herbivore foods and occasional meaty supplements like mysis shrimp, as this primarily herbivorous species excels at cleaning fine algae and detritus from all surfaces and requires constant access to plant matter to maintain their active metabolism and vibrant yellow eye ring coloration.

International Aquatics Quarantine & Guarantee: All fish are checked by marine vets, given a formalin bath, and held for 14 days in copper-treated systems. We feed Selcon-soaked food with Kanaplex and Metroplex during quarantine. Unless marked, all livestock comes with our 15-Day Guarantee. You will receive a video of your fish eating before shipment. On request, we also send photos/videos after arrival at IA.

Several species will be import-to-order and may take anywhere from 3-10 business days to secure. Once your fish is secured, you will be notified, and the quarantine process will then begin.