{"product_id":"vlamingii-tang-naso-vlamingii-saltwater","title":"Vlamingii Tang (Naso vlamingii)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eVlamingii Tang\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eNaso vlamingii\u003c\/em\u003e), also called the Bignose Unicornfish, is one of the most quietly spectacular fish in the family. Juveniles arrive dusted in fine blue spots over a soft grey-lavender body with a yellow mask around the eye. As they mature the spots stretch into blue scribbles and vertical bars, the body deepens toward purple, and males develop the blunt forehead bump that gives the species its name. A displaying adult can switch its pattern on and off in seconds. Peaceful with almost everything, reef safe, and long-lived. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to round out the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FFF8E1;border-left:4px solid #F9A825;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRead this before you buy: this fish gets enormous.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eNaso vlamingii\u003c\/em\u003e reaches roughly two feet and can live 40 years or more. Aquarium specimens rarely hit full wild size, but a healthy one will still outgrow almost every home tank, and it swims open water constantly rather than picking around rockwork. Plan on a system in the hundreds of gallons, 300 plus with real length, not just volume. If that is not where your tank is headed, one of our smaller tangs is the better buy and we would rather point you at it.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 300 gallons and up for a growing fish, more for an adult. Length matters more than anything else here, since this is an open-water cruiser that needs room to turn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.026. Hardy for a tang once settled, and Naso species generally ship and adapt better than the \u003cem\u003eAcanthurus\u003c\/em\u003e powder tangs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e herbivore with a planktivore streak. In the wild it grazes macroalgae and picks zooplankton out of the current. In a tank that means dried seaweed on a clip at least three times a week, backed by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/vitalis-marine-grazing-pellets-saltwater-fish-food\"\u003emarine grazing pellets\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-spirulina-flake-food\"\u003espirulina flake\u003c\/a\u003e. Well-fed Nasos are calmer and hold better color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDo not skimp on greens.\u003c\/strong\u003e A tang on a thin or meat-heavy diet loses condition behind the eyes and becomes prone to head and lateral line erosion. Consistent algae plus clean water prevents it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow and oxygen:\u003c\/strong\u003e strong flow and good surface agitation. They come from reef slopes and drop-offs with real water movement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid required.\u003c\/strong\u003e Startled Nasos jump, and a big one hits a cover hard. Keep the tank covered and mind the gaps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandle with a container, not a net.\u003c\/strong\u003e The paired blades at the tail base are fixed rather than folding in this genus, and they will shred a net and cut a hand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNaso vlamingii\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eVlamingii Tang, Bignose Unicornfish, Scribbled Unicornfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAdvanced, due to adult size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful with most fish, territorial toward other tangs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUp to 24 inches, usually smaller in captivity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e300 gallons and up\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e40 years or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHerbivore, also takes zooplankton\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndo-Pacific reef slopes and drop-offs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the more good-natured large tangs. It ignores corals and inverts entirely and gets along with angels, wrasses, clownfish, and anything else that is not shaped like a tang. In a system big enough to hold it, most of the usual reef community works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exception is other surgeonfish, particularly other Naso. Two large tangs of similar shape will fight unless the tank is genuinely huge and both went in together. Also avoid pairing it with fish small enough to be pushed off food by a foot-long grazer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther tangs worth comparing: our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/naso-tang-medium\"\u003eNaso Tang\u003c\/a\u003e is the closest relative and shares the same space requirement, while the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/powder-brown-tang-acanthurus-japonicus-saltwater\"\u003ePowder Brown Tang\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sailfin-tang-zebrasoma-veliferum-saltwater\"\u003eSailfin Tang\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scopas-tang-zebrasoma-scopas-saltwater\"\u003eScopas Tang\u003c\/a\u003e all stay far smaller and suit a normal reef tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rods-food-leafy-purple-seaweed-30g-tang-food\"\u003eRod's Food Leafy Purple Seaweed\u003c\/a\u003e grazing sheet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rods-food-three-weed-blend-30g-seaweed-tangs\"\u003eRod's Food Three Weed Blend\u003c\/a\u003e for variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/vitalis-marine-grazing-pellets-saltwater-fish-food\"\u003eVitalis Marine Grazing Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/two-little-fishies-veggiemag-magnetic-seaweed-clip\"\u003eTwo Little Fishies VeggieMag\u003c\/a\u003e magnetic seaweed clip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/vitalis-universal-grazing-station-feeder\"\u003eVitalis Universal Grazing Station\u003c\/a\u003e for continuous feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/saltwater-refractometer-hard-case-atc-salinity-tester\"\u003eSaltwater Refractometer\u003c\/a\u003e for accurate salinity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill mine look like the photo forever?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, and that is part of the appeal. Juveniles are spotted with a yellow eye mask. As the fish matures the spots elongate into blue scribbles and bars, the base color shifts toward purple-grey, and males grow the forehead bump. Adults can also flash their pattern brighter or duller depending on mood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it really need 300 gallons?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor a fish that can reach two feet and swims open water all day, yes. A juvenile will be fine in something smaller for a while, but only if the big tank is actually planned. Buying one for a 90 gallon and hoping is how these end up rehomed or dead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it hard to keep compared to a Powder Blue or Powder Brown?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEasier, honestly. Naso tangs tend to ship and acclimate better than the \u003cem\u003eAcanthurus\u003c\/em\u003e powders and are less prone to crashing with ich. The hard part with this species is not health, it is square footage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe with corals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCompletely. It grazes algae and picks plankton, and will not touch coral tissue or inverts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is it called a unicornfish if it has no horn?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome \u003cem\u003eNaso\u003c\/em\u003e species grow a forward-pointing horn. This one instead develops a rounded snout bump, most obvious in mature males, which is where Bignose Unicornfish comes from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48252103917787,"sku":"FTAVL170AA-2","price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/ef321c16-9f5d-44df-9f87-8d70ef89a97d.png?v=1787733033","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/vlamingii-tang-naso-vlamingii-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}