Spotted unicornfish (Naso brevirostris) fish species and information / pictures of Spotted unicornfish - Naso brevirostris

Spotted unicornfish (Naso brevirostris) fish species information

Scientific Name
Naso brevirostris

Common Name
Spotted unicornfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-29; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 27 - 30. Adults bluish grey to olivaceous brown in color, commonly pale anteriorly and on cheek and throat; short irregular lines on sides of body; diagonal lines on horn; lip edges blue (Ref. 3145). Subadults with dark spots on head and body (Ref. 3145). Juveniles lack the prominent horn of adults (Ref. 1602).

Classification

Classified By
Cuvier, 1829
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 to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.
Range
29°N - 36°S, 26°E - 137°W

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
24 °C
Water Temperature To
28 °C
Depth From - meters
2 m
Depth To - meters
122 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 122 m (Ref. 58302), usually 4 - 46 m (Ref. 27115)
Trophic Level
2.22 s.e. 0.15 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
60.0 cm
Common Length
Unknown 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; aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (33 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.402; Tmax=25)
Threat To Humans
  Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 30298)
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated