Bluespine unicornfish (Naso unicornis)

Scientific name: Naso unicornis Forssk?l, 1775

The Bluespine unicornfish (Naso unicornis) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 26–29°C (79–84°F).

Bluespine unicornfish care at a glance

Temperature: 26–29°C (79–84°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-30; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 27 - 30. Presence of a horn or rostrum. Both caudal lobes prolonged into filaments. Adult males tend to have better developed horn, peduncular spines, and caudal filaments than females of the same size. Caudal fin

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Naso unicornis
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 70.0
Common length: 50.0
Depth range: 1–80 m (3–262 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 80 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesas and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe and Rapa islands. Presence in Somalia to be confirmed.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.14)