Chevron Tang 
Hello, 
I'm hoping you can help me. I have a very successful 46-gal. bow front  reef tank. It is 6 months old and thriving. I have more than enough  filtration (a wet/dry, a canister, and an AquaClear that hangs over the  back). I also have a U.V sterilizer and a protein skimmer. My fish  include: 5 Percula clowns, 6 bar gobies, 4 Mexican red-headed gobies, 1  yellow headed Jawfish, 1 neon Dottyback, and 1 cleaner wrasse. I have the  opportunity to purchase a chevron tang. I hesitated a lot because of the  size of my tank. 
<You do have a bunch of smaller fishes in it already, and a forty six gallon is smallish for a Ctenochaetus sp. tang...>
The store owner knows my tank and feels that this tang  will be fine in it. 
<Likely yes... this is a very good species for aquarium use. Oh, our coverage of this and all other Surgeonfish can be found on the site: www.WetWebMedia.com>
My questions are: what is the life expectancy in a  well-maintained tank;
<A few years>
will it be aggressive towards any of the fish I have; 
<Not really... some "jousting" to be expected... but no real competition for types of foods, habitat... that might occur with other species>
am I doing the fish an injustice because of the size of my tank? 
<Hmm, these ethical questions are tough... "Not really" to a "semi-yes" are my feelings/thoughts here... a larger system would definitely be better (like most all aquatic life the "living area" in the wild for one of these fish is much larger than almost all aquariums... but a forty six gallon bow-front is (barely) adequate for one... we have these genera of tangs in smaller systems here at our facility/test tanks... that are healthy, apparently "happy">
If not  the chevron, I was thinking of the yellow tang because it is a little smaller and beautiful.
<Both about equal choices all the way around>
The store owner said, however, that he has seen  them tear up a reef and they don't live long. 
<Hmm, do disagree with the gist of this stmt... >
I would love to hear from you.....before I make a big mistake. 
Laurie from Connecticut
<Please read through the WWM site on these issues... I would go forward with your plans as stated with the hawaiiensis... especially if you see a larger system in your future... or a Zebrasoma Tang species. Bob Fenner>

Re: Chevron Tang
P.S. I have checked out your website. It is excellent. The best one I have seen, and I have passed it on to others.
<Outstanding, thank you for your kind, encouraging words>
And I also meant to tell you in your last communication to me that I appreciated the thought, honesty and detail you put into your answers. 
<Ah, you humble me>
I ended up getting that Chevron Tang. He seems to be quite happy at the moment, and my cleaner wrasse has never been so happy! If I feel that he becomes too big for my 46-gal bow front, then I will have to make some decisions (get a larger tank or find him a new home.) I promise not to become a bother, but I am sure glad I found you. Thanks, again.
<Thank you my friend. Bob Fenner>

Chevron Tang
Bob, thank you for writing your book. It is a bible to me. My question is on Chevron Tang. I want to get it, but I have heard they don't last long.
From my LFS, the owner said they last maybe a year. He said they need to be in higher water pressure to do well. What do you think on this issue? Jackie
<All in all a very hardy species. Here is my ongoing opinion on the members of the genus Ctenochaetus: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ctenocha.htm
Though found, collected in deeper water, this is a very sturdy aquarium species both as juveniles and adults. Bob Fenner>

Chevron pop-eye
Hello again Mr. Fenner,
Sunday I added a 2" Chevron tang to my main tank. The first couple of days were almost constant jousting w/the 2.5" flame angel. The RedSea Sailfin has pretty much left the tang alone. The tang had pop-eye that seemed to have partially peeled off (like sunburn peeling) late yesterday afternoon. I was thrilled that he was healing so rapidly.
<This is a great aquarium species... the peeling was likely originally due to a scrape with a net.>
I've been soaking food in Zoë & Zoecon. Well, this morning the clear part of his eye has turned to a grayish black glob & I'm wondering if he may have bumped it in the night or is this the final "shedding" of the bad eye.
<Could be either...>
Also, his fins have become shredded from the jousting, but seem to heal overnight. I purchased some Melafix but have not added it to the tank because the tang looked so good last night. I just noticed that the flame now has a slight cloud on his left eye. What do you suggest?
<Patience, the continuing use of the vitamins>
Remove one of the fish, treat w/the Melafix or let nature take its course?
I do have 2 cleaner shrimp in the tank. Will they help w/the pop-eye?
<Yes, indirectly>
On another front, SUSHI, my brother got word from his tank builder that his new 180g may not be ready until the 7th of Nov, instead of the 2nd. We will know Friday if the tank will be ready on the 2nd. I plan on coming down from Las Vegas when the tank is ready. If you can't make sushi on the 2nd, possibly the following weekend. I will let you know when I know if you are still interested in spicy scallop hand rolls. As before, you are still welcome to stay @ my brothers place in Newport.
<Thank you. Please keep us informed. Am still hoping to be out of here, in Taveuni/FJ then... Bob Fenner>

Re: Chevron pop-eye
Mr. Fenner,
You are quick!
Yes the Chevron is a beautiful species & seems to be holding his own in the tank. He was a birthday gift from my brother & I hate to see him in such shape. I noticed in a few q&a's that you mentioned that you added Zoë or Zoecon or Selcon directly to your system weekly. How much would you recommend for a 50g tank.
<About a teaspoon>
I'll keep you informed about next weekend. Thanx again. Craig Citro
P.S. Where in the world is Taveuni???
<Ah, the Garden Isle of Fiji, in the South Pacific... to the east of Fiji's principal northern island. Bob Fenner>

Eye Abrasion
Mr. Fenner
You sir have a astounding web site.
<Getting better all the time>
I came across it about three months ago and it has given me a far better look at the balance required for a working marine aquarium. I don't think my tank (90gallon FOWLR/soft & hard coral but no so reef) has ever, in it's two years, looked this beautiful. Thank you!
<A pleasure my friend>
I hope you will lend me some advice about a problem I am having with my Chevron Tang. About three weeks ago I noticed a small scratch above her left eye. Not large at all. I kept up on my water quality and since she was eating and behaving well I just let her be. By the next week the abrasion grew in area. It became streaked red, extending around her eye and down towards her month. I lowered the SG slowly and started adding vitamins to her food (Nori, grape & red fern Caulerpa). Today her eye just looks hideous. I am cretin it has become very infected. The whole eye has become encrusted and almost looks like a boil has formed.
I live on the outskirts of Anchorage Alaska, and getting to a LFS is a possibility but their knowledge of what to do is limited (I have called seeking advice). My gut feeling tells me that it needs to be lanced and drained (oh, will move her to QT tomorrow). She is eating well and by all means she does act normal. I feel that her fate is not good if something is not done. Can you suggests a course of action? 
<Yes... a practical and likely fruitful course of action I would take is to carefully (two nets, maybe a friend with one to help) net this specimen, hold it gingerly and daub the infected area with a mercuric disinfectant (mercurochrome, Merthiolate, Merbromin) as for a cut for humans and a cotton swab... This may have to be done every other day twice or three times... Otherwise to continue as you have with the foods, vitamin solution. Don't lance the growth above the eye for now.>
I will be able to order 48hr delivery from any e-tailor any supplies that might be needed. Your help would be very welcome!!
Any other information can be sent right away. I will give the specifics of the tank below. Thank you for the chance to save my friend. She has been with my for two years and has quite a personality. :)
Carl D.
Tank: 90 gallon, glass w/ 30 gallon sump w/ refugium
380 watt PC lighting
AquaC Skimmer
100lbs Live Rock & 3" DSB
Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate trace, Alk 3.4, Ca 425, 78*, SG 1.024
Chevron tang, Yellow tang, 5 blue-green Chromis, spotted hawkfish, lawnmower blenny, Soft and Hard corals (need a list?) :)
<No. Good luck my friend. Kia orana. Bob Fenner>

Re: Eye Abrasion
Mr. Fenner,
It is so kind of you to write back so soon. It puts my worried mind at ease. :)
<Ah, am glad for this>
I will do as you suggested concerning my injured Chevy. Tang. I have readied my QT, and my good friend is coming over tomorrow to help me move him from my main system and give her first treatment (I hope my LFS has the disinfectant).
<Or any good sized regular market... The suggested disinfectants are very commonly available for children's scrapes and cuts... Non prescription, but a pharmacist's is sure to carry these>
I will write again soon and update you if you don't mind. Probably ask for some more advice too. :) Mahalo nui hoaloha! Carl
<You're welcome my friend. Aloha, Bob Fenner>