Sleek unicornfish (Naso hexacanthus) fish species and information / pictures of Sleek unicornfish - Naso hexacanthus

Sleek unicornfish (Naso hexacanthus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Naso hexacanthus

Common Name
Sleek unicornfish

Biology
Inhabits clear lagoon and seaward reef slopes (Ref. 9710, 48637). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Forms shoals. Mainly diurnal, it feeds on zooplankton such as crab larvae, arrow worms, pelagic tunicates, and occasionally filamentous red algae. The species is never poisonous (Ref. 4795).

Classification

Classified By
Bleeker, 1855
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)

Distribution

Region
Indo-Pacific
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (Ref. 9710), including the Mascarene Islands (Ref. 37792) to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.
Range
24°N - 32°S, 30°E - 145°W

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
25 °C
Water Temperature To
28 °C
Depth From - meters
6 m
Depth To - meters
150 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 6 - 150 m (Ref. 30573), usually 10 - 137 m (Ref. 27115)
Trophic Level
3.28 s.e. 0.41 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
75.0 cm
Common Length
50.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (41 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=7; K=0.221; Tmax=44;)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless (Ref. 4887)
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated