WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Humpnose Unicornfish

Naso tonganus

Also known as: Bulbnose Unicornfish, Doctorfish, Humphead Unicornfish, Hump-headed Unicornfish, Humpnose Unicorn, Hump-nosed Unicornfish, Lancetfish, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@greatwhite · Sydney Aquarium, Australia · April 20121 / 5

Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.

01

Overview

Found singly, or in small schools over coral 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.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Head & Mouth
hump head

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.

  • Range · Western Indian Ocean
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 4
LIVES IN

Found singly, or in small schools over coral reefs.

04

Adult photos 5

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderAcanthuriformes
    5. familyAcanthuridae
    6. genusNaso
    7. speciesNaso tonganus (Valenciennes, 1835)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)