Skip to content

Naso tang

  • by

Naso lituratus

  • Small fish safe: yes
  • Small invert safe: yes
  • Coral safe: yes
  • Minimum tank size: 568L
  • Adult size: 45.7cm
  • Diet: Herbivore

Be aware of: Best kept in larger tanks

The Naso Tang can be found throughout the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. As a juvenile, the Naso Tang has a dark gray body with a blue stripe following along the dorsal fin and an orange stripe on the anal fin. When matured, the body is a bluish-gray tone and the juvenile striping is supplemented with additional color. The tail takes on a lyre shape with a yellow, vertical bar towards the back. Two orange patches appear at the peduncle spines near the tail. The face undergoes the largest change. A thin, black mask forms between the eyes and mouth. The mask is outlined with bright yellow. The lips develop a reddish-orange color that resembles the application of lipstick. These tangs will use their spines as a weapon against other fish that threaten them. A Naso Tang can reach up to 18 inches in length and requires an aquarium of at least 180 gallons with live rock and plenty of room to swim.