Orange-tip Bristletooth

Ctenochaetus tominiensis, the Tomini surgeonfish, is a species of marine fish in the family Acanthuridae.

Description

It is tan combined with yellow, blue, and white highlights as a juvenile. When mature, the body color solidifies, the tail becomes bluish white, and the dorsal and anal fins are tipped with a golden-yellow hue. The area above the eyes has small golden flecks while sporting a golden half circle beneath.

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-25; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 22 - 23. Margins of lips papillate. Only species of Ctenochaetus with angular dorsal and anal fins. Caudal fin of juveniles forked, of adults lunate. Gill rakers on anterior row 20-21, on posterior row 20. Outer soft portion of dorsal and anal fins orange (pale in preservative). Edge of lips crenulate. Upper teeth with 2 or 3 denticulations (not including tip). Anterior gill rakers 19-23.

The Tomini surgeonfish is a small size fish and can reach a maximum size of 16 cm length.

Distribution

The Tomini surgeonfish is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific region from Indonesia to the Tonga Islands.

Habitat

Occurs singly or in small groups along steep coral-rich drop-offs of sheltered coasts. Feeds on algae and microfauna living in between the algae.

It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.