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Chevron Tang
Tang

Chevron Tang

Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis

A bristletooth tang that lives two lives: a stunning fiery-orange juvenile laced with electric purple chevrons that matures into a deep olive-to-black adult marked by fine wavy lines. Its comb-like teeth rasp film algae, diatoms, and detritus off the rock, making it a superb clean-up grazer for a mature reef. It is reef-safe (it may occasionally nip large-polyp corals or clam mantles) but, like all tangs, aggressive toward other surgeonfish and intolerant of unstable water — plan for one tang, a long footprint, and pristine parameters.

Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Max size
9.8"
Min tank
180 gal
Reef-safe
Reef safe
Diet
Herbivore
Zone
Rockwork, Mid-water
Keep just one per tank — two will fight.
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Tankmates

How Chevron Tang gets on with the rest of the reef, checked pair by pair by the same engine as the live pre-flight.

Keep an eye on these

Usually fine, but worth watching in a smaller tank.

Percula ClownfishChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Percula Clownfish and may harass it.Banggai CardinalfishChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Banggai Cardinalfish and may harass it.Pajama CardinalfishChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Pajama Cardinalfish and may harass it.Green ChromisChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Green Chromis and may harass it.Helfrich's FirefishChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Helfrich's Firefish and may harass it.Yasha GobyChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Yasha Goby and may harass it.Tailspot BlennyChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Tailspot Blenny and may harass it.Purple TangChevron "is territorial toward other Ctenochaetus in particular" though it mixes with Zebrasoma more easily than its own Ctenochaetus kin; the aggressive Purple Tang still warrants a large footprint and a simultaneous introduction to avoid a one-sided beating.Powder Blue TangTwo semi-aggressive tangs of different genera (Acanthurus vs Ctenochaetus); the feisty Powder Blue can harass the chevron, so give a large tank and add both at once rather than sequentially.McCosker's Flasher WrasseChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful McCosker's Flasher Wrasse and may harass it.Sixline WrasseChevron Tang and Sixline Wrasse both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Lubbock's Fairy WrasseChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse and may harass it.Melanurus WrasseChevron Tang and Melanurus Wrasse both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Royal GrammaChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Royal Gramma and may harass it.Coral HawkfishChevron Tang and Coral Hawkfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Chalk BassChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Orchid DottybackChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Orchid Dottyback and may harass it.Springer's DottybackChevron Tang and Springer's Dottyback both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Purple DottybackChevron Tang and Purple Dottyback both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Mandarin DragonetChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Mandarin Dragonet and may harass it.