{"product_id":"blue-spine-unicorn-tang","title":"Blue Spine Unicorn Tang | Naso unicornis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Spine Unicorn Tang (Bluespine Unicornfish) is a large, powerful surgeonfish that develops a blunt forehead \"horn\" and bright blue spine plates near the tail as it matures. It is active and personable, but it grows very large, so it is strictly a fish for big systems with lots of open swimming room and strong water movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Blue Spine Unicorn Tang is associated with clear outer reefs, reef flats and surge zones of the Indo-Pacific, where it grazes leafy brown macroalgae and swims strongly in open water. Replicating this environment means providing generous open swimming lanes, mature live rock with algae for grazing and strong, well-oxygenated flow. This is a big, active fish that needs a large footprint, not a small or heavily decorated tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Spine Unicorn Tang is grey to olive with two bright blue, fixed spine plates near the tail base and, in adults, a projecting horn on the forehead. Mature males develop long tail filaments. It reaches around 60–70 cm, among the largest surgeonfish, so its adult size must be fully understood before purchase. Healthy specimens are alert, grazing actively and well-filled through the body, without pinched bellies or rapid breathing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as generally peaceful for its size, though it can be territorial towards other Naso and unicorn tangs. In a large system it mixes well with a wide range of robust fish. Suitable companions include large angels, other large tangs of different form, rabbitfish, wrasses and other sizeable reef or fish-only species. Keep only one unicorn tang unless the system is very large. Add it to a settled aquarium with generous swimming space.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding should be predominantly herbivorous. Offer dried marine algae and nori on a clip, algae-based flakes and pellets, and a rotation of prepared herbivore foods, with several feeds through the day given its size and appetite. Leafy brown macroalgae suits it especially well. Occasional meaty foods can be offered, but the diet should remain mostly plant based to maintain colour, growth and condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 950 L, with substantially larger systems recommended for an adult given its ultimate size. A long tank with generous open swimming room is essential. Maintain temperature at 24–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Strong, well-oxygenated flow is important. Lighting can be standard reef lighting. Provide open lanes and mature live rock for grazing. Powerful filtration, a large protein skimmer and regular water changes of 10–20% are important. Surgeonfish are prone to white spot, so stable water quality and quarantine are advised. It is considered reef safe, though it may nip large-polyp stony corals if underfed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is not achieved and should not be expected. Unicorn tangs are open-water spawners with drifting planktonic larvae requiring specialised conditions far beyond normal home aquarium keeping. For the few keepers able to house one long term, the focus should be on adequate space, correct herbivorous feeding, excellent water quality and low stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNaso unicornis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Spine Unicorn Tang (Bluespine Unicornfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific outer reefs, reef flats and surge zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60–70 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOften 15 years or more with excellent care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally peaceful (territorial to other unicorn tangs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate to advanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e950 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubstantially larger for an adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; marine algae, nori and algae-based prepared foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery large, established reef and fish-only systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe (may nip LPS if underfed)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include large angels, other large tangs of different form, rabbitfish, wrasses and other sizeable robust fish in a very large system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other unicorn or Naso tangs except in very large systems, highly aggressive fish that will harass it, and undersized or newly set-up tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234145943843,"sku":"BA8051-S","price":79.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234145976611,"sku":"BA8051","price":89.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234146009379,"sku":"BA8051-L","price":99.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-70cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351948673315,"sku":"BA8051-XL","price":109.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562733781283,"sku":"BA8051-S-IMP","price":79.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562733814051,"sku":"BA8051-M-IMP","price":89.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562733846819,"sku":"BA8051-L-IMP","price":99.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-70cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562733879587,"sku":"BA8051-XL-IMP","price":109.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/blue-spine-unicorn-tang-43090654920995.webp?v=1790306130","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-spine-unicorn-tang","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}