{"product_id":"blonde-naso-tang-male","title":"Blonde Naso Tang - Male","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe male Blonde Naso Tang (\u003cem\u003eNaso elegans\u003c\/em\u003e) is an impressive large-bodied surgeonfish prized for its bold coloration, graceful swimming behavior, and distinctive adult tail streamers. Mature males develop elongated trailing filaments from the upper and lower corners of the caudal fin, adding a dramatic feature not seen to the same extent in females. The dark bluish-gray body is accented by a brilliant yellow dorsal fin, dark facial mask, yellow lips, and vivid orange markings surrounding the sharp caudal peduncle spines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the Indian Ocean, the Blonde Naso Tang ranges from the Red Sea and East Africa through the western Indian Ocean to southwestern Indonesia. It inhabits reef flats and rocky reef environments, where it spends much of the day swimming over the reef and feeding on benthic algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith an adult size approaching 18 inches, this is a substantial marine aquarium fish requiring considerable swimming room and long-term planning. A mature male can become a spectacular centerpiece in a large reef aquarium or fish-only aquarium, combining striking coloration and impressive finnage with a generally peaceful disposition toward unrelated species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 180 gallons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-aggressive\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Herbivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indian Ocean — Red Sea and East Africa to southwestern Indonesia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eNaso elegans\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 180-gallon or larger aquarium is required for long-term care. Adult males are large, powerful swimmers and need substantial horizontal swimming room in addition to adequate overall water volume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArrange live rock to provide grazing surfaces, caves, and sheltered areas while leaving generous stretches of open water. Avoid excessively dense rockwork that restricts swimming as the fish approaches adult size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate to strong water movement, excellent oxygenation, and efficient filtration are appropriate. Large surgeonfish consume considerable amounts of food and produce a correspondingly substantial biological load, making strong filtration and consistent maintenance important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA secure aquarium cover is recommended. Long-term housing should always accommodate the fish's adult dimensions rather than the smaller size at which many Blonde Naso Tangs enter the aquarium trade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blonde Naso Tang is primarily herbivorous and naturally feeds on benthic algae. Marine algae should therefore make up a substantial portion of its captive diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffer dried nori and other marine seaweed regularly using a feeding clip, along with quality herbivore pellets, spirulina-based foods, frozen herbivore blends, and other preparations designed for marine grazing fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and other meaty foods can be included for variety, but they should supplement rather than replace an algae-rich diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed multiple small portions throughout the day when practical and provide regular opportunities for grazing. Mature males with large body mass benefit from consistent access to high-quality marine vegetable matter to maintain proper condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe male Blonde Naso Tang is generally peaceful toward unrelated fish but should still be considered semi-aggressive because territorial disputes can occur with other surgeonfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable tankmates include angelfish, rabbitfish, wrasses, clownfish, anthias, larger gobies, and many other appropriately sized marine community species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAggression is most likely toward other \u003cem\u003eNaso\u003c\/em\u003e tangs or similarly sized surgeonfish competing for swimming space and food. Keeping multiple large tangs requires considerably more space than the minimum aquarium size, abundant food, and careful introduction planning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid housing this active species with excessively aggressive tankmates that may continually harass it or prevent normal grazing and feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blonde Naso Tang is considered \u003cstrong\u003ereef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e and does not normally consume healthy SPS corals, LPS corals, soft corals, clams, shrimp, snails, or other established ornamental invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts natural grazing behavior is primarily directed toward algae growing on rock and other aquarium surfaces, making it particularly well suited to large reef systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdult males are powerful swimmers, so small coral frags and loosely positioned colonies should be secured to prevent accidental displacement as the fish moves through the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72–78°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.024–1.026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlkalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12 dKH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintain stable, well-oxygenated seawater and avoid rapid fluctuations in temperature, salinity, or other major parameters. Consistency is especially important for maintaining large surgeonfish in peak condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdult males can approach 18 inches and require a minimum 180-gallon aquarium with extensive horizontal swimming space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMature males develop distinctive trailing filaments from the upper and lower corners of the tail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarine algae and seaweed should form a major portion of the long-term diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTerritorial behavior is most likely toward other tangs, particularly other \u003cem\u003eNaso\u003c\/em\u003e species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe orange caudal peduncle spines are sharp defensive structures, so use care during capture, handling, and transport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"Standard \/ M (3.1-4\")","offer_id":50819279552810,"sku":"TANxMBNasoM","price":299.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Standard \/ ML (4.1-5\")","offer_id":50819279585578,"sku":"TANxMBNasoML","price":419.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Standard \/ L (5.1-6\")","offer_id":51087681749290,"sku":"TANxMBNasoL","price":509.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Standard \/ XL (6.1-7\")","offer_id":51087681782058,"sku":"TANxMBNasoX","price":629.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Standard \/ XX (7.1-8\")","offer_id":52383332008234,"sku":"TANxMBNasoXX","price":839.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Standard \/ SH (8.1-10\")","offer_id":52383332041002,"sku":"TANxMBNasoSH","price":1049.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Red Sea \/ S (2-2.25\")","offer_id":52720412262698,"sku":"TANxMRBNasoS","price":263.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Red Sea \/ M (3.1-4\")","offer_id":52720412295466,"sku":"TANxMRBNasoM","price":314.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Red Sea \/ ML (4.1-5\")","offer_id":52720412328234,"sku":"TANxMRBNasoML","price":449.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Red Sea \/ L (5.1-6\")","offer_id":52720412361002,"sku":"TANxMRBNasoL","price":560.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Red Sea \/ XL (6.1-7\")","offer_id":52720412393770,"sku":"TANxMRBNasoX","price":685.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Red Sea \/ XX (7.1-8\")","offer_id":52720412426538,"sku":"TANxMRBNasoXX","price":923.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Red Sea \/ SH (8.1-10\")","offer_id":52720412459306,"sku":"TANxMRBNasoSH","price":1147.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/topshelf-blonde-naso-tang_73e0e088-ee62-49ec-b019-6818d7f39b02.jpg?v=1788882182","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/blonde-naso-tang-male","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}