Spotted unicornfish (Naso brevirostris)

Scientific name: Naso brevirostris Cuvier, 1829

The Spotted unicornfish (Naso brevirostris) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.

Spotted unicornfish care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

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. Subadults with dark spots on head and body. Juveniles lack the prominent horn of adults.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Naso brevirostris
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 60.0
Depth range: 2–122 m (7–400 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 122 m, usually 4 - 46 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.402; Tmax=25)