Are Bristletooths active swimmers?

[Zionas]

I often see people suggest a Bristletooth except the Blue Eyed or Striated or Chevron for smaller tanks like 75-100 gallons, basically just shy of the 100 gallon range. Other than their smaller size, is it because they are significantly less active swimmers than Zebrasoma, Acanthurus, Paracanthurus etc? What are their swimming habits like and what makes them different from other genuses of Tangs?

Can a Tomini or Kole live its whole life in a 4’ x 2’?

Would appreciate it if even some of you Tang police would answer. Thanks.

 

[fishguy242]

hi,i would say yes on tomi and kole,..go tomini

 

[Tamberav]

I had a Kole in a 4x2... Was an active spaz... Was aggressive at first but stopped chasing fish after about a week. It still made the other fish nervous so I sold it.

 

[Zionas]

Aye. Are they less active than the other kinds of Tangs?

 

[Tamberav]

Idk mine was active. It wasn't pacing the front but it was active and always busy. Looking for something to eat or someone to stink eye.

I got a small sailfin in there for grow out and it's less active then the Kole but probably because it is small and tries to school with the butterflies.

 

[flampton]

Just like any tang the bristletooths will be very active and picking. The reason for the smaller dimensions is just because they don't grow as large.

 

[Zionas]

Would you say a Tomini would be fine for the duration of its lifespan in a 4’ x 2’ tank?

 

[mort]

All tangs are built to be grazers and therefore are active fish, no matter the genus. The bristletooths are no different to zebrasoma in that they may take a while to settle in but will eventually just cruise around the tank all day. You can get lazy tangs if you feed to much.

A 4 x 2ft is ok for a tomini it's whole life. I like giving fish as much space as I can and with tangs it helps if you want to keep more timid species with it but they tend to get used to the tank and become calmer. The biggest thing I think about with tank size and fish is that a biggish fish in a tank makes it look like the tank is smaller and if you push that ratio to far you completely ruin the look of the tank. With a tomini I think you'd just about be ok for aesthetics.

 

[sfin52]

Would you say a Tomini would be fine for the duration of its lifespan in a 4’ x 2’ tank?

I have a kole in a 90. Its fine very active and always picking at the rocks. A 4ft x 2ft will be suitable

 

[Zionas]

Thanks. All the info has been very helpful.