Humpback Unicornfish
Naso brachycentron
Also known as: Doctorfish, Humpback Unicorn, Lancetfish, Ring-tailed Unicornfish, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish
- Doctorfish
- Humpback Unicorn
- Lancetfish
- Ring-tailed Unicornfish
- Thorntail
- Thorntail Fish
Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.
Overview
Found singly, or in small to large schools, over rocky shores and reef slopes, of deep seaward reefs.
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
Habitat & where to find it
Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.
- Range · Indo-Pacific
- Country only · 13
Found singly, or in small to large schools, over rocky shores and reef slopes, of deep seaward reefs.
Adult photos 13
Discussion
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Deep dive
More in the family
Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)

Blue Tang
Acanthurus coeruleus

Lined Surgeonfish
Acanthurus lineatus

Ocean Surgeonfish
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Yellowmask Surgeonfish
Acanthurus mata

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Acanthurus achilles
7 photos

Bignose Unicornfish
Naso vlamingii

Black Surgeonfish
Acanthurus gahhm
5 photos

Blue Unicorn
Naso caeruleacauda
1 photo

Blue-lined Surgeonfish
Acanthurus nigroris
1 photo

Blue-lipped Bristletooth
Ctenochaetus cyanocheilus

Bluespine Unicornfish
Naso unicornis

Brown Surgeonfish
Acanthurus nigrofuscus

