Orangespine Unicornfish

Naso lituratus

Also known as: Barcheek Unicornfish, Blonde Naso Tang, Clown Tang, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Lipstick Tang, Lipstick Unicornfish, Masked Unicornfish, Naso Surgeonfish, Naso Tang, Orange Unicorn Tang, Orangespine Surgeonfish, Orange-spined Unicornfish, Pacific Orangespine Unicorn, Pacific Orangespine Unicornfish, Poll Unicornfish, Poll-headed Unicornfish, Redlip Surgeonfish, Smoothhead Unicornfish, Smooth-headed Unicornfish, Striped Unicornfish, Striped-face Unicornfish, Stripeface Unicornfish, Thorntail, Thorn Fish, True Blonde Naso

ALSO KNOWN AS

Barcheek Unicornfish
Blonde Naso Tang
Clown Tang
Doctorfish
Lancetfish
Lipstick Tang
Lipstick Unicornfish
Masked Unicornfish
Naso Surgeonfish
Naso Tang
Orange Unicorn Tang
Orangespine Surgeonfish
Orange-spined Unicornfish
Pacific Orangespine Unicorn
Pacific Orangespine Unicornfish
Poll Unicornfish
Poll-headed Unicornfish
Redlip Surgeonfish
Smoothhead Unicornfish
Smooth-headed Unicornfish
Striped Unicornfish
Striped-face Unicornfish
Stripeface Unicornfish
Thorntail
Thorn Fish
True Blonde Naso

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012

VenomousKeep your distance

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Orangespine Unicornfish adult, photographed at Florida, United States — @poeticpenguin · Florida, United States · September 20151 / 9

Overview

Found in pairs or small schools, over coral, rock, and rubble areas, of lagoons and seaward reefs. Identified by the bright orange razor-sharp spines on each side of the tail.
They feed mainly on leafy brown algae.
Juveniles found singly or in small mixed schools, over shallow rocky reefs.
Widespread East Indian Ocean

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.