Vlaming's Tang
Naso vlamingii
Naso vlamingii has an oval laterally compressed body, with a gray-blue to blue-violet coloration. Its caudal fin is deeply forked, forming a lyre. It has a sharp spine on each side of the caudal peduncle. It is an active fish constantly swimming in search of algae. In aquariums, it can become territorial towards other surgeonfish. It is sensitive to skin diseases like ich. It can reach 50 cm in the wild, but rarely over 30 cm in captivity.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 |
| GH | 8–12 |
| KH | 8–12 |
| Salinity | 1.02–1.025 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.1 |
Care
Care notes
Temperature 24-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025. Minimum tank size 800 liters. Diet herbivorous: algae, nori, spirulina, vegetable supplements. Compatibility: avoid other surgeonfish, can coexist with peaceful fish. Needs large swimming space and hiding spots. Sensitive to parameter fluctuations. Good filtration and protein skimmer essential. Can be kept in reef but may nip at soft corals.