[6] For a long time this species was regarded as an Indian Ocean colour morph of the orangespine unicornfish (Naso lituratus) until it was shown that there were consistent meristic differences.

[7] The specific epithet elegans is Latin for "choice", "fine" or "select", a reference to the beautiful colours of this fish.

[8] The elegant unicornfish occurs in reef flats in coastal and inshore waters in small schools while in more oceanic waters it forms larger schools,[3] Naso elegans has 6 spines and between 26 and 30 soft rays, typically 28, supporting the dorsal fin while the anal fin is supported by 2 spines and between 27 and 30 soft rays, typically 29.

The dorsal fin is yellow with a thin blue edge and a black band inside that.

[8] The plates on the caudal peduncle are vivid orange separated by a patch of white.