Orangespine unicornfish

The orangespine unicornfish is a tang (family Acanthuridae) from the Indo-Pacific. Despite its name it lacks a prominent horn; instead it has a grey body with a yellow-edged dark face mask, orange lips, and, most distinctively, brilliant orange fixed spines set into bony plates at the base of the tail. It is a semi-aggressive, active fish that can quarrel with other tangs and should generally be the only surgeonfish in the aquarium. It requires a large tank with strong current and plenty of swimming space, plus live rock for grazing. Primarily herbivorous, it favours brown macroalgae and should be fed generous amounts of dried marine algae and vegetable matter, with occasional meaty foods. Its size and dietary needs make it best suited to spacious, well-maintained systems run by experienced keepers.