Bluespine Unicornfish
Naso unicornis
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
- Bluespine Surgeonfish
- Bluespine Tang
- Bluespine Unicorn
- Brown Unicornfish
- Doctorfish
- Humphead Unicornfish
- Lancetfish
- Longhorn Unicornfish
- Longnose Unicornfish
- Long-snouted Unicornfish
- Thorntail
- Thorntail Fish
- Unicorn Tang
Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.
Overview
Found singly or in small schools over strong surge channels of lagoons and seaward reefs rich in sargassum growth.
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.
How to identify
- Pattern
- blue spotsspots
- Head & Mouth
- unicorn horn
Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.
Habitat & where to find it
Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.
- Range · Indo-Pacific
- Exact location · 10
- Country only · 25
Found singly or in small schools over strong surge channels of lagoons and seaward reefs rich in sargassum growth.
Adult photos 35
Discussion
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Deep dive
More in the family
Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)

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Blue-lined Surgeonfish
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Blue-lipped Bristletooth
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Brown Surgeonfish
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Convict Surgeonfish
Acanthurus triostegus

