Species Type:
Fishes
Common Name(s):
Twospot bristletooth tang
Size:
These fish can grow up to 8.7 inches (22 centimeters) long.
Diet:
Twospot bristletooth tangs eat marine debris and single-celled algae.
Range & Habitat:
In the Indian and Pacific Oceans, twospot bristletooth tangs can be found near deep lagoons, seaward reefs and rocky areas.
Details:
Twospot bristletooth tangs have crescent-shaped tails, and like other surgeonfish, they possess a sharp, retractable spine near the base of the tail, which they use for defense. These tangs have bristle-like teeth designed for scraping algae off rocks and sand, keeping reefs clean. They spend most of their time picking at surfaces for food, helping to control algae growth in their habitat.