Pale-Tailed Bristletooth

Scientific Name: Ctenochaetus flavicauda
Family: Surgeonfishes – Acanthuridae
Maximum Size: 13cm
Identification: Yellowish brown with thin dark stripes; yellow spots on head; conspicuous white to yellowish tail.
Favourite: Solitary or form groups.
Hide-out: Coral-rich areas and rocky reefs to 30m.
Location: Central Pacific – Phoenix and Line Is., French Polynesia and Pitcaim Is.

Orangetip Bristletooth

Scientific Name: Ctenochaetus tominiensis
Family: Surgeonfishes – Acanthuridae
Maximum Size: 15cm
Identification: Brown with paler lower head, outer rear portion of dorsal and anal fins yellow orange, white tail.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Coral-rich areas of lagoons and outer reef slopes in 5-40m.
Location: West Pacific – Bali in Indonesia to Philippines and Palau, south to Vanuatu and Fiji.

Lined Bristletooth

Scientific Name: Ctenochaetus striatus
Family: Surgeonfishes – Acanthuridae
Maximum Size: 26cm
Identification: Dark brown with numerous orange spots on head and blue lines on body; may display a small black spot at rear base of dorsal fin.
Favourite: Solitary or form groups; one of most abundant reef fishes.
Hide-out: Lagoon and seaward reefs to 35m.
Location: Indo-Pacific – E. Africa to Indonesia, Micronesia and French Polynesia. S.W. Japan to Great Barrier Reef.

Hawaiian Bristletooth

Scientific Name: Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis
Family: Surgeonfishes – Acanthuridae
Maximum Size: 25cm
Identification: Dark olive-brown with numerous thin pale greenish stripes covering head, body, dorsal and anal fins.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Seaward rock and coral reefs in 10-45m.
Location: Central Pacific – Palau and Mariana Is. in Micronesia to Hawaii and French Polynesia.