Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, and sourcing intelligence on Unicorn Tang - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team.
Unicorn Tang at a glance
Adult size: 24 inches · Min tank/pond: 240 gallons · Difficulty: intermediate · Diet: herbivore · Lifespan: 15-30 years.
Unicorn Tang (Naso unicornis) is a popular saltwater fish in the aquarium and pond hobby. Suitable for keepers with 6-12 months of stable-tank experience.
Where Unicorn Tang comes from
Unicorn Tang (Naso unicornis) is native to Indo-Pacific reef ecosystems. Wild populations distribute across coral reefs from East Africa through Indonesia, the Philippines, and into the western Pacific. Captive-bred Unicorn Tang is increasingly available and is the more sustainable choice when you can find it.
Unicorn Tang tank size and setup
Unicorn Tang requires a minimum of 240 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on 24 inches adult size and territorial range. For Unicorn Tang, plan a mature reef tank with stable parameters, sand bed, live rock for cover, and reef LED if photosynthetic.
Water parameters for Unicorn Tang
Unicorn Tang requires standard reef parameters: temperature 76-80°F, specific gravity 1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, alkalinity 8-9 dKH, calcium 420-450 ppm, magnesium 1300-1400 ppm, ammonia + nitrite 0 ppm, nitrate under 10 ppm. Use a refractometer (not hydrometer) to measure salinity.
What Unicorn Tang eats
Unicorn Tang is a herbivore. Provide algae sheets, algae-based pellets, and supplemental veggies. Skip a feeding day per week for tank biology. Browse our food guides for product recommendations.
Unicorn Tang tankmates and compatibility
Unicorn Tang is best paired with peaceful reef-tank species in similar size class. Avoid known fin-nippers and large aggressive species.
Unicorn Tang adult size and lifespan
Unicorn Tang reaches 24 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 15-30 years with proper care.
Can you breed Unicorn Tang?
Unicorn Tang breeding in captivity ranges from straightforward to very difficult. Captive-bred specimens are increasingly available from sustainable aquaculture facilities.
Common Unicorn Tang diseases and problems
Unicorn Tang is susceptible to ich, velvet, marine flukes, and bacterial infections. Quarantine new Unicorn Tang for 4-6 weeks before adding to display.
Where to buy Unicorn Tang online
Unicorn Tang is sold at LFS, online retailers, and direct from breeders. Browse live Unicorn Tang from vetted Fast Aquatics vendors with carrier-tracked overnight shipping, climate-aware hold logic, and a 4-hour DOA window with photo-evidence claims.
Related saltwater species you might also keep
Other species in the same category with care profiles on Fast Aquatics. Click any name for the full husbandry breakdown.
Unicorn Tang taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.