Description

Also known as Barred Unicornfish, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Oneknife Unicorn, Onespine Unicorn, Onespine Unicornfish, Singlespine Unicornfish, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Thunny Unicornfish.

Found singly or in large schools, patrolling steadily over reefs, in search of plankton, close to drop-offs, reef edges, and slopes, over outer lagoons and seaward reefs.
They feed on algae and zooplankton.
Length - 40cm
Depth - 2-40m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Surgeonfish have a blade like spine in the tail that points outwards when bent, unicorns have two hook-like plates along the tail, these are used for defence and are as sharp as a surgeons scalpel, hence the name "Surgeonfish".
Some species are venomous. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/6932