Description

About the Lipstick Tang (Naso lituratus)

The Lipstick Tang, also known as the Orangespine Unicornfish or Naso Tang, is a stunning and elegant surgeonfish featuring a sleek grey body with distinctive orange "lipstick" markings around the mouth, bright orange tail streamers, and orange spines near the tail. This graceful species is one of the larger tangs, known for their peaceful temperament and impressive swimming displays. Their unique appearance and gentle nature make them prized additions to larger reef aquariums.

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 450 litres (120 gallons) for medium specimens, 600+ litres for adults due to their large size and active swimming
• Diet: Omnivorous with herbivorous preference - requires marine algae, nori sheets, spirulina, herbivore pellets, and meaty foods like mysis shrimp
• Water Parameters: Temperature 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.023-1.025
• Swimming Space: Very active swimmer requiring extensive open swimming areas
• Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced - requires large tank and stable water quality

Tank Compatibility

Very peaceful and reef-safe, Lipstick Tangs are among the most docile large tangs. They coexist well with virtually all peaceful and semi-aggressive species. Can be kept with other tang species without issues, making them excellent choices for mixed tang communities. Rarely show aggression except toward conspecifics. Compatible with large angelfish, triggers, and other semi-aggressive fish. Completely reef-safe and won't harm corals or invertebrates. Their peaceful nature makes them ideal for community tanks despite their large size.

Fun Facts

• Can grow up to 45cm in the wild, typically 30-35cm in captivity
• Possess bright orange fixed spines (not retractable like other tangs) near the tail base
• Males develop longer tail streamers and more pronounced "horns" on the forehead with age
• One of the most peaceful large tangs, rarely showing aggression
• Can live 15-20+ years in captivity
• Native to the Indo-Pacific, often found in current-rich areas
• Juveniles lack the prominent tail streamers which develop with maturity

Special Care Tips

• Tank Size: Do not underestimate space requirements - these are large, active swimmers
• Feeding: Feed 2-3 times daily with varied diet including both algae and meaty foods. More omnivorous than other tangs
• Water Flow: Appreciate moderate to strong water flow mimicking their natural reef environment
• Acclimation: Use extended drip acclimation (60-90 minutes) as they can be sensitive
• Disease Prevention: Susceptible to marine ich and head and lateral line erosion (HLLE) - maintain excellent water quality and varied diet
• Swimming Room: Provide long, unobstructed swimming paths - they are graceful, fast swimmers
• Handling: Be careful of orange tail spines when handling - use a container rather than net

Please be aware that variations exist within species, so your item may not precisely resemble the provided image. The size range of individual specimens is approximate and may vary. Any extraordinary fish size will be explicitly specified.