Description
Also known as Bluespine Surgeonfish, Bluespine Tang, Bluespine Unicorn, Brown Unicornfish, Doctorfish, Humphead Unicornfish, Lancetfish, Longhorn Unicornfish, Longnose Unicornfish, Long-snouted Unicornfish, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Unicorn Tang.
Found singly or in small schools over strong surge channels of lagoons and seaward reefs rich in sargassum growth.
They feed on leafy brown algae.
Juveniles in shallow protected bays and harbours.
Length - 70cm
Depth - 1-180m
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/1265
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