Family : Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes) , subfamily: Nasinae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Spotted unicornfish
Fish Name : Naso brevirostris
Max size : 60.0 cm FL (male/unsexed; Ref. 1602)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 2 - 122 m
Climate : tropical; 24 - 28°C; 29°N - 36°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.402; Tmax=25)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 6-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-29; Anal spines: 2-2; 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 (Ref. 3145). Subadults with dark spots on head and body (Ref. 3145). Juveniles lack the prominent horn of adults (Ref. 1602).
Biology : Inhabit mid-waters along steep outer lagoon and seaward reef drop-offs. Also found along rocky shores (Ref. 30573, 48637). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Usually in small groups but form large schools in oceanic locations or on reefs subject to strong currents (Ref. 48637). Juveniles and subadults feed on benthic algae; adults feed on zooplankton. Pair spawning has been observed. Caught with nets (Ref. 30573)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : reports of ciguatera poisoning , Lewis, N.D.. 1986
Coordinator : Randall, John E.
Main Ref : Myers, R.F.. 1991. (Ref. 1602)

India country information
Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses