Not furry, but we like them anyway.

Naso Tang

Naso lituratus (Forster, 1801)

Also called Orangespine unicornfish, Clown unicornfish, Orangespined unicornfish, Black-finned unicornfish, Stripefaced unicornfish

SpeciesShort profile

From Indo-Pacific, from Japan south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia and east to Hawaii and French Polynesia; also Clipperton Island in the eastern Pacific.1 2

At a glance the quick version

Length45 to 46 cm1 2

Sizelarge

Maximum length; 46 cm standard length per FishBase.

Showy face with orange 'lipstick' and dark mask

Graceful, strong swimmer

Herbivore that feeds on brown seaweeds

2 1

Looks how to spot one

Scaled, oval unicornfish

A sleek, oval fish with a brownish-grey to bluish-grey body that turns yellowish underneath. It has bright orange lips, a dark mask over the face, a yellow patch on the nape and a black band along the dorsal fin. Two vivid orange, forward-hooked plates sit on each side of the tail stem. Unlike several of its relatives, it has no horn on its forehead.2 1

ColoursBrownish-grey to bluish-grey bodyOrange lipsDark face maskYellow napeOrange tail plates2 1

Personality what they are like

A peaceful, confident cruiser often seen in pairs or small groups, happy to share space with suitable companions.2 1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A powerful swimmer that ranges over coral, rock and rubble. It does best with lots of open swimming room and strong water flow.1 2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Marine reef fish for a mature saltwater aquarium. Typical reef-tank conditions are 24-27 C, salinity 1.022-1.025 specific gravity and pH around 8.2, matching the warm tropical reefs it comes from. Keep water quality stable and offer algae-based meals every day. The blade-like tail spines are sharp, so move it with a net or container rather than bare hands. It appreciates well-oxygenated water and strong currents.3 1 2

Home where they are happiest

Lives in lagoons and on outer reefs, usually 5-30 m deep and as deep as 90 m; young fish stay on shallow rocky reefs. A very large reef aquarium with high oxygen levels, strong current and algae to graze suits it. No minimum tank volume from a primary source was found.1 2

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A herbivore that mostly eats leafy brown seaweeds such as Sargassum and Dictyota. Offer plenty of marine seaweed in the aquarium.1 2

Company who they like around

Adults usually live in small groups or pairs and spawn in pairs. It enjoys company of suitable tank mates.1 2

The story where it all began

Johann Reinhold Forster, the naturalist on Captain Cook's second voyage, described the fish in 1801 as Acanthurus lituratus, probably from Tahiti. It belongs to the unicornfish genus Naso, though it lacks the horn several of its relatives carry.2

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
It is a unicornfish without a horn: it lacks the forehead projection seen in some relatives.2
2
Adults have a black tongue.1
3
Helpful gut bacteria called Epulopiscium assist surgeonfishes like this one in digesting algae.2
4
Its main foods are the brown seaweeds Sargassum and Dictyota.1
5
Near Guam it spawns all year round.2

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed May 2010)1
Taxonomy: Family Acanthuridae (unicornfishes, genus Naso); described by Johann Reinhold Forster in 1801 as Acanthurus lituratus2

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Naso Tang. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
Temperature checkevery day
Salinity checkevery week
Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
Water testevery week
Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
Glass cleanevery week

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Naso Tang?

Feed your Naso Tang small amounts once or twice a day. Furry Diary's starting plan is to offer algae-based meals every day. Always check the food label and ask your vet for exact amounts.1 2 Pet Wiki plan

What does a Naso Tang eat, and what should it never eat?

It is a herbivore that loves leafy brown seaweeds like Sargassum and Dictyota, so offer plenty of marine seaweed. Avoid feeding it any meaty foods or items not meant for herbivores; ask your vet for a safe list.1 2

How much space does a Naso Tang need?

This powerful swimmer needs a very large reef aquarium with lots of open swimming room and strong water flow. No exact tank volume is given, so consult a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for the best size.1 2

What temperature, light or water does a Naso Tang need?

It thrives in typical reef-tank conditions: 24-27°C, salinity 1.022-1.025 specific gravity, and pH around 8.2. Provide strong currents and well-oxygenated water, and check temperature daily and salinity weekly as per Furry Diary's plan.3 1 2 Pet Wiki plan

How often should I clean a Naso Tang's home?

Furry Diary's starting plan suggests cleaning the glass weekly, testing water weekly, and doing a 10-20% water change every two weeks. Top up evaporation daily with fresh RO water, not salt water. Pet Wiki plan

Can a Naso Tang live with others?

Yes, it is peaceful and confident, often seen in pairs or small groups, and enjoys suitable tank mates. It spawns in pairs, so it can share space happily with compatible fish.1 2

How long does a Naso Tang live?

Lifespan varies and is not specified in the provided facts. Ask your vet or a good breeder for typical longevity in home aquariums.

Can I handle a Naso Tang?

It has sharp blade-like tail spines, so never use bare hands. Always move it with a net or container to avoid injury to both you and the fish.3 1 2

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].

FishBase: Naso lituratus summary fishbase.seused for distribution, depth, length, diet, colour, IUCN status
Wikipedia: Naso lituratus en.wikipedia.orgused for names, description, habitat needs, behaviour, taxonomy, digestion
Wikipedia: Reef aquarium en.wikipedia.orgused for general reef aquarium water parameters

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.