Naso Tang

Overview

The Naso Tang, also called the Orangespine Unicornfish, is a large, distinctive surgeonfish with a grey-brown body, a bright orange patch near the tail, and a yellow-and-black marked dorsal fin. As it matures it can develop a small forward-projecting horn on the forehead, a feature shared with other Naso species.

It's a genuinely large tang requiring a substantial tank with open swimming room, and while juveniles are often sold small, buyers should plan for the full adult size from the outset rather than needing to upgrade later.

Given adequate space and a good diet, this is a hardy, long-lived tang that makes an impressive centrepiece for a large reef or fish-only system.

Compatibility

Naso Tangs can be territorial toward other tangs, particularly similarly shaped species, so care with stocking order and tank size matters if keeping multiple tangs. They generally coexist well with unrelated community fish, angelfish, and wrasses.

This species is fully reef safe and won't bother corals, clams, or invertebrates.

Health & quarantine

A minimum four-week quarantine is recommended given general Acanthuridae susceptibility to marine ich, with attention to appetite and breathing in the first two weeks. Strong water flow, excellent water quality, and a varied algae-rich diet support long-term health given this species' large size and appetite.