Flame Fin Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)
The Flame Fin Tomini Tang is a stunning and highly sought-after bristletooth tang known for its striking combination of earthy body coloration and vibrant orange-red fins. Its charcoal to brown body is beautifully accented by brilliant "flame-colored" dorsal, anal, and tail fins, creating an elegant contrast that makes this fish a standout in any reef aquarium. Active, peaceful, and constantly grazing, the Flame Fin Tomini Tang is both a beautiful centerpiece and a valuable member of a reef tank cleanup crew.
Native to the coral reefs of the western Pacific, the Flame Fin Tomini Tang spends its day browsing live rock and hard surfaces for film algae and detritus using its specialized bristle-like teeth. This natural grazing behavior helps reduce nuisance algae while contributing to the overall health of the aquarium. Its active swimming and inquisitive personality make it an engaging fish that is always on the move.
The Flame Fin Tomini Tang thrives in mature reef aquariums with plenty of live rock, open swimming space, and stable water quality. While it naturally grazes on algae throughout the day, it should also be offered a varied diet that includes marine algae, nori, spirulina, herbivore pellets, and occasional frozen foods to maintain optimal health and vibrant coloration.
Generally one of the more peaceful tang species, the Flame Fin Tomini Tang can often be kept with other community reef fish and, in larger aquariums, with compatible tang species when introduced thoughtfully.
Scientific Name: Ctenochaetus tominiensis
Common Name: Flame Fin Tomini Tang / Tomini Tang
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive
Diet: Herbivore / Detritivore
Reef Safe: Yes
Adult Size: Up to 6 Inches
Minimum Tank Size: 70 Gallons
Origin: Western Pacific (Indonesia & the Philippines)
If you're looking for a reef-safe tang that combines exceptional beauty with practical algae-grazing benefits, the Flame Fin Tomini Tang is an outstanding choice. Its vivid orange-red fins, active personality, and hardworking grazing habits make it one of the most desirable tangs for medium to large reef aquariums.
