........................Lipstick Tang
Other names:...........Lipstick Surgeon, Smoothhead Unicorn fish Origin:......................Tropical Indo-Pacific Max size:..................20" Temperature:...........75-80 F. Min tank size:..........100 gallons Food:.........................live foods, meat, pellets |
The Lipstick Tang is a large but peaceful fish from the Indo-Pacific. Their bodies are tall and oval-shaped, with a perfect triangle for a caudal fin. Base color of the fish is beige with a black forehead and eyes. The dorsal and anal fins are black and dark yellow respectively. Its common name refers to the red around the lips. The other common name of "Unicorn" derives from the "horn" that some specimens develop on their foreheads. Specimens from the Indian Ocean have orange in the dorsal fin.
Lipstick Tangs belong in a large aquarium and generally do well with other large, non-aggressive fishes. Lots for free swimming space must be provided, as well as algae on which they will graze. A salinity level of 1.023-1.027 is preferred.
These fish are omnivorous and require vegetable matter in their diet. Green foods such as algae are relished, as are small crustaceans and frozen Mysis.
Breeding and sexing of this fish has not been recorded.
We appreciate your feedback.