HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesPerch-like fishSurgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishesElegant unicornfish Elegant unicornfish (Naso elegans) Scientific name: Naso elegans R?ppell, 1829 The Elegant unicornfish (Naso elegans) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-30; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 27 - 30. Dorsal fin yellow with a blue line at base and a black band above this; anal and pelvic fins dark brown; dorsal and anal fins with a narrow blue margin and black submarginal line; caudal fin yellowish with black upper and lower margins and a submarginal black band posteriorly. Caudal fin emarginate with adult males having trailing filaments from each corner.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameNaso elegansFamilyAcanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length45.0Common length35.0Depth range5 m (16 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - ? mClimateTropicalDistributionIndian Ocean: Red Sea south to Durban, South Africa and east through the islands of the western Indian Ocean to southwestern Indonesia, at least to Bali. Not reported from the Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, or India. Previously considered the Indian Ocean color variant of Naso lituratus.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026