Fish ID Kole Tang?

i cant think · May 17, 2022

It could be any of the Ctenochaetus species except:
Strigosus
Hawaiiensis
Striatus
Binotatus (Unless it’s an extremely young specimen that hasn’t developed the twin spots yet).

RickG · May 17, 2022

Tamberav said:
Looks like a square tail to me... by the shape of the tail in your pic. Ctenochaetus truncatus. They are sometimes called Indian Kole tangs. Not to be confused with the Hawaiian Kole.

Juvie's are yellow and eventually transition to the brown/purplish body.

Same fish as above but adult colors.

Kole vs Squaretail:

Kole Tang & Squaretail Tang Comparison | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

The bristlemouth surgeonfish of the Ctenochaetus genus are some of the most perfect aquarium fish with a size, behavior and disposition that seems tailor made for a life in a reef tank.

reefbuilders.com

I think this is the closest comparison I have seen. I'll definitely pull out the dlsr and get a better picture but that little guy is always on the move lol. I'll keep this thread updated if he starts changing colors with time.

nereefpat · May 17, 2022

Please do.

RickG · Jun 29, 2022

Sorry for the long wait! But this is the best I could get. Sucker is quick lol. Slight editing to bring about his true to eye color. Definitely has distinct blue streaks on dorsal and anal fins.

RickG · Jun 29, 2022

I got him at a great price and I like him so don't really care what he is but my curiosity is intrigued on what he is "labeled" as lol

i cant think · Jun 29, 2022

RickG said:
Sorry for the long wait! But this is the best I could get. Sucker is quick lol. Slight editing to bring about his true to eye color. Definitely has distinct blue streaks on dorsal and anal fins.

This has crossed off Ctenochaetus trunctatus. I can see lines of the adult coming in whilst spots are on the face. I do believe you could have a juvenile cyanocheilus or the blue lipped bristletooth.

However with the tail shape now taking place, it could also be Ctenochaetus binotatus as the mouth colour has yet to show as a true blue colour and is just a bit lighter than the main face.

Due to the blue lips being there just not as bright and closer to the main face colour I do believe it’s going to be the Blue Lipped Bristletooth and not the Blue Eye Bristletooth.