Description
Blonde Naso Tang (Naso elegans)
A large and elegant surgeonfish recognized for its silver-gray body, bright yellow dorsal fin, orange facial highlights, and bold black markings. The Blonde Naso Tang is an active, open-water swimmer that brings both movement and vibrant contrast to large marine aquariums. Males may develop elongated streamers on the tail as they mature.
Native:
Indian Ocean and Red Sea reef systems.
Lighting:
Moderate to high reef lighting.
Placement:
Active mid to upper tank swimmer. Requires extensive open swimming space and stable rock structures for nighttime shelter. Minimum tank size: 180 gallons (680+ liters).
Temperature:
24–28°C (75–82°F)
Salinity:
1.023–1.025 SG
pH:
8.1–8.4
Alkalinity:
8–12 dKH
Diet:
Primarily herbivore. Feed marine algae (nori), seaweed sheets, spirulina, herbivore pellets, and vegetable-based frozen foods. Will also accept mysis shrimp and other meaty foods occasionally. Frequent feeding is recommended.
Adult Size:
Up to 45 cm (18 inches)
Care Level:
Moderate (requires large aquarium and strong filtration due to size and activity level)
Compatibility:
Generally peaceful and reef-safe. Compatible with tangs (in very large systems), angelfish, wrasses, rabbitfish, and other large community marine species. May show aggression toward similar-shaped tangs in smaller tanks.
Note: Like other surgeonfish, it has a sharp caudal spine used for defense — handle with care.
