Short-nosed unicornfish

The short-nosed unicornfish (Naso brevirostris) [1] is a species of unicornfish in the family.

Short-nosed unicornfish
Naso brevirostris at the French Polynesia

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Acanthuridae
Genus: Naso
Species:
N. brevirostris
Binomial name
Naso brevirostris
(G. Cuvier, 1829)
Synonyms
  • Cyphomycter coryphaenoides Smith, 1955
  • Naseus brevirostris Cuvier, 1829
  • Naseus brevirostris Valenciennes, 1835
  • Naso brevirostris (Valenciennes, 1835)

Distribution

Naso brevirostris is widespread throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans.[1][2] Another species, Naso maculatus, may also be called the spotted unicornfish.

This species is listed as "least concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and there are no observed declines as a result of commercial or recreational fishing. [3]

Habitat

The short-nosed unicornfish dwells in mid-waters along steep outer lagoon, in rocky shore and seaward reef drop-offs,[1] and prefers water temperatures ranging from 22.4 to 29° Celsius.[4]

The short-nosed unicornfish can be easily found in the coral reef area around Green Island, Taiwan

Description

Naso brevirostris can reach a maximum length of 60 centimetres (24 in).[1] These fishes have an elongate, oval body, with a short snout and a small, protrusible mouth. They are olivaceous brown to bluish grey in color,[1] with a prominent horn, many small dark spots on head and short irregular lines on sides of body. The anterior part of the body is rather pale.[1] The tail is whitish with dark blotch. The caudal knives are relatively larger in males (sexual dimorphism).[3] These fishes have six dorsal spines, 27-29 dorsal soft rays and 27-30 anal soft rays. Subadults show dark spots on head and body, while juveniles lack the prominent horn.[4]

Biology

This species forms spawning aggregations.[3] Adults feed on algae and zooplankton, while juveniles mainly feed on benthic algae.[4]

  • Spotted unicornfish at the Toledo Zoo
  • At the Dubai Aquarium
  • At the Schönbrunn Zoo
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References
  1. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2006). "Naso brevirostris" in FishBase. April 2006 version.
  2. "Spotted unicornfish - Aquarium Community".
  3. IUCN
  4. "Naso brevirostris; Overview Short-nosed Unicornfish".


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