| Ctenochaetus striatus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Acanthuridae |
| Genus: | Ctenochaetus |
| Species: | C. striatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Ctenochaetus striatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1825 |
|
Ctenochaetus striatus is a Tang from the Indo-Pacific. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 26 cm in length.
The Striped Bristletooth is one of the few herbivorous fishes which is occasionally toxic. Ciguatera poisoning is caused by the accumulation of a toxin produced by certain microscopic dinoflagellates which the Bristletooth ingests while feeding on algae. If a contaminated fish is eaten by humans, the concentrated poison contained within its tissues causes neurological damage that can be fatal.