Naso lituratus? Nah, and MAC  – 1/26/08
Hello guys,
I have a 120 gallon wave front reef tank with five green chromis and one purple tang. It used to have a yellow tang as well but the purple slowly killed the yellow over time (stress I assume).
<In a word>
Any way I have read through all the FAQ's on the Naso and it seems that the aggression can very
<vary>
from one to the other.
<Mmm, yes>
I have found a wonderful "blonde" Naso that is double or more in size than the purple so I am wondering with the size difference will he be OK in the tank?
<Perhaps... but this tank will be too small for this species>
There is a good amount of live rock and caves in there and the tank is very deep.
Also the Naso is MAC certified.
<Meaning? They collected/stole some money "through the system", ultimately from you... only>
Thanks so much for your input.
Chris Abegglen
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Captive Raised Nasos?
Hi Bob,
Could you tell me if there are any captive raised Naso lituratus in Canada? If so where could I order one from. Thank you so very much. Lynn
<I know of efforts by folks to breed, rear this species, and think possibly the folks in Polynesia do catch this fish as post larvae at times, but as far as I'm aware, all Surgeonfishes are wild-collected (at this time). Bob Fenner>

Sourcing a blonde Naso
Do you know where a good place to purchase a healthy blonde Naso tang?
<Likely the big etailers of marine livestock... Drs. Foster & Smith, Marine Center...>
I thought Hawaii would be the best place if I could order direct.
<Can't as far as I know... and I am there very often>
To spare the fish from being transported to more than one place.
<Good thought>
We also have a 10 gal QT tank and wanted to place him in it. We would cover the side of the tank to reduce stress. Is this a big enough tank? and how long should he be in it? Thank you for any help.
<Only if this is a very small specimen... Naso species should be quarantined in no smaller than a two foot by one foot long/wide tank... and kept in no smaller than twice this. Bob Fenner>

Naso Tang
Good day Gents, 
<I hope>
First off, must say 'Love the website', helped me out on many occasions.
(Long time reader) 
<Thank you>
I have setup a new tank and am moving all the contents from 4 tanks to go into the new reef tank. New tank is 160G with a 30-40g sump. 1-2 Inch live sand bed with 110 Live rock. Aqua-C EV-240 Skimmer. Tank has been cycling and preparing for 2-3 Months. Have not started moving many corals to the new tank as yet but that will commence this coming weekend. Not sure of all the inhabitants at present but have the following livestock to possible put in.
Comet grouper 
<Will eat smaller fish/shrimp>
3 Banggai Cardinals
Purple Tang
Long Nose Hawk Fish
Scooter blenny
Pair of green mandarins 
<Tank will be too new for these guys, and then I would only go with one unless you are lucky enough to find one that eats Mysis or frozen food.>
Visited a LFS and they had a pair of NASO tangs (Male/Female). The male has its streamer and they seem to be inseparable. They look like a mated pair.
<tangs do not mate> 
Would it be okay to have this pair of Naso Tangs in this size tank, <Again, I'd go with one. Your observance of these two tangs being inseparable is a false observance. In small dealer tanks, tangs are thinking more about escape than being compatible. In a larger system such as yours, aggression between the two will more than likely take place.>
preferable with the Comet (My favorite fish). They are some of the nicest Nasos I have seen and are plump and eating like champions. They have been at the LFS for 3 weeks.
Thanks <You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> 

55g Stocking
I have a 55 gal. reef tank with various hard and soft corals. I currently have in the tank a 2" maroon and gold clown, a 3" yellow tang, a few damsels (black neon, domino, orange-tailed blue), a 2" coral beauty angel, a 1" six-line wrasse and several sally lightfoot crabs and snails. 
Experienced hobbyists keep telling me about the only "reef safe" fish I could now add are gobies and the like. Aren't there any more magnificent fish (i.e., Naso Tang, Butterflies, Wrasses, Anthias) I can add at this point that won't eat my reef?
<<Are there? You bet! About thirty eight fish families that contain of outstanding choices... Not the Naso, but many other tangs, dozens of butterflyfishes, ditto with the wrasses, several Anthias. Am writing a tome about this topic, much of which you can find sans images (thus far) at wetwebmedia.com. Tell me what you think. Bob Fenner>>

Re: 55g stocking
Out of curiosity, why not a Naso? How about a large red Coris wrasse? There is a beautiful one at a local store but I'm worried he'll (she'll) eat my corals. Please advise. Thanks.
<<The Naso gets too big and is too rambunctious and waste-producing for your 55, the Coris will bother, even eat/chew on many of your reef animals.
Bob Fenner>>

Removing the tangs from a Tang
I've heard that this is sometimes done by collectors seeking to make the Tangs easier to handle.
<Yes, especially larger specimens... on collecting are "clipped" to reduce/eliminate chance of injury to diver, other specimens>
I just received a Naso from Saltwaterfish.com whose tangs are not there.  What is the long-term impact of this?  I'm really disappointed!  It seems wrong to take away their primary form of defense.  It's akin to declawing a cat and then expecting it to acclimate well to an environment in which it will have to engage in the process of establishing a pecking order.
<No long-term problem should arise from this practice. The "tangs" do grow back... in a few months time>
  This fish does not seem terribly healthy, either.  He's not eating at all despite being offered many tempting treats.  (Lettuce, Nori, brine shrimp, formula one)
Any recommendations?
<To refer to the family coverage on WWM re the feeding of acanthurids, the genus Naso in general. Bob Fenner>
Ana M. Saavedra