Family : Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes) , subfamily: Nasinae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Bluespine unicornfish
Fish Name : Naso unicornis
Max size : 70.0 cm FL (male/unsexed; Ref. 9710)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 1 - 180 m
Climate : tropical; 26 - 29°C; 35°N - 33°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.14)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (Ref. 3145) to the Hawaiian, Marquesas and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe and Rapa islands. Presence in Somalia to be confirmed (Ref. 30573).
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 6-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-30; Anal spines: 2-2; 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
Biology : Inhabit channels, moats, lagoon and seaward reefs with strong surge (Ref. 48637). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Typically occurring in small groups. Juveniles in shallow protected bays and harbours (Ref. 48637). Mainly diurnal, feed on coarse leafy brown algae like Sargassum. Pair-spawning has been observed
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : reports of ciguatera poisoning , Bagnis, R., P. Mazellier, J. Bennett and E. Christian. 1984
Coordinator : Randall, John E.
Main Ref : Myers, R.F.. 1991. (Ref. 1602)

India country information
Common Names : കൊന്വന് കറുക്കന്, കറുക്കന്, കറൂക്കന്, കൊന്പന് കരുക്കന് , Ammas, Karukkan, Komban-karukkan, Niggam-mas
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses