Unicorn Fish
Naso unicornis
The bluespine unicornfish (Naso unicornis), also known as the short-nose unicornfish, is a marine ray-finned fish in the family Acanthuridae, which takes in the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. Native to the Indo-Pacific, it reaches about 70 cm in length and shows up occasionally in the aquarium trade. It carries various local names, including kala in Hawaii, dawa in New Caledonia and ta in Fiji, though the Hawaiian term kala covers all three local horned unicornfish species.
Family
Acanthuridae
Avg Size
50-70 cm
Habitat
The bluespine unicornfish is a near-shore species. Juveniles tend to keep close to the coast, while adults range from the shallows out toward deeper water, generally staying within the upper 40 feet. They favour areas with waves or strong surge. They may live alone on coral reefs, gather in small schools of their own kind, or join larger mixed-species aggregations.
Behaviour
Bluespine unicornfish are herbivores, grazing on brown and red algae with tough or leafy fronds. As one of the few fish that eat fleshy macroalgae, or seaweed, it plays an important role in maintaining the health of coral reef ecosystems.
Where & When to See It
Rosalie Moller
Zabargad Island
Abu Nuhas
Big Brother Island
Blue Hole - El Bells
Bluff Point
Careless Reef
Carnatic
Chrisoula K
Eel Gardens
El Fanadir
Giannis D
Gordon Reef
Jackson Reef
Kimon M
Kormoran
Laguna Reef
Lighthouse
Little Brother Island
Moray Garden - Golden Blocks
Napoleon Reef
North Gabr El Bint
North Ras Abu Galum
Numidia
Ras Abu Helal
Ras Ghamila
Rocky Island
Shaab Abu Nugar
Shaab El Erg
Shabrur Um Gamar
Shag Rock (Kingston)
Siyul Kebira
South Ras Abu Galum
The Barge at Bluff Point
The Canyon
The Caves
The Islands
The Ulysses
Thistlegorm
Thomas Reef
Three Pools
Turtle Reef
Umm Gamar North
Umm Gamar South
Woodhouse Reef
Aida
Small Giftun
Sodfa
Near Garden
Soma Bay Garden
White Knight
Temple
Panorama Reef
Paradise
Pinky Wall
The Alternatives
Ras Bob
Ras Burg
Ras Disha
Tower
Ras Ghozlani
Ras Katy
Ras Nasrani
Ras Um Sid
Ras Zaatar
Turft El Shahed
Abu Hashish
Salem Express
Sha'ab Samadai (Dolphin House)
Abu Kifan
Sha'ab Sharm
Abu Ramada North
Abu Ramada South
Amphoras
Banana Reef
Belina Wreck
Turtle Bay
Big Giftun
Shaab Claudia
Shaab Eissa
Dunraven (Beacon Rock)
Shaab Eshta
Shaab Maksur
Daedalus Reef
Eel Garden
Shaab Petra
El Erug
Shaab Sabina
El Fanous West
El Mina Wreck
Elphinstone
Erg Abu Ramada
Erg Sabina
Erg Somaya
Far Garden
Fiddle Garden
Fury Shoals
Shaab Sataya
Abu Ghalawa
Gota Abu Ramada
Gota Kebir
Gota Soraya
Habili Ali
Habili Gaffar
Hamda
Jackfish Alley
Abu Dabbab
Shark & Yolanda Reef
Shark Observatory
Shark's Bay
Umm Kharalim
Small Crack
Middle Garden