Naso lituratus is a large, laterally compressed surgeonfish built along clean, elegant lines. The gray-to-brown body is set off by orange lips, a black facial mask outlined in yellow, an orange anal fin, and a pair of conspicuous orange-highlighted spines on each side of the caudal peduncle. The forehead slopes smoothly with no horn or protuberance, which separates this species immediately from the horned unicornfishes. Mature males extend long trailing streamers from the upper and lower lobes of the tail. The species ranges across the eastern Indian and Pacific Oceans on tropical reefs and reaches roughly 18 inches as an adult.

Housing must be planned around that adult size and the fish's near-constant motion. A well-established marine system of at least 180 gallons is the working minimum, and a longer footprint with broad, unobstructed swimming lanes matters as much as raw volume. Arrange rockwork securely so it supplies grazing surfaces, caves, and retreats for nighttime rest or moments of alarm, while leaving open water along the length of the tank. Moderate to heavy flow suits this fish, and filtration, circulation, and oxygenation should be sized for an active grazer that produces substantial waste. A tight-fitting lid is important, since startled specimens will jump. Care is best described as moderate rather than beginner-friendly, largely because of the space and dietary commitment involved.