Spotted Unicornfish

Naso brevirostris

Also known as: Brown Unicornfish, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Lined Unicornfish, Longnose Doctorfish, Longnose Unicornfish, Long-snouted Unicornfish, Palefin Unicornfish, Paletail Unicornfish, Shortnose Unicornfish, Short-nosed Kala, Short-nosed Unicorn Tang, Shortsnout Unicornfish, Short-snouted Unicornfish, Spotted Unicorn, Spotted Unicorn Tang, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Unicorn Surgeonfish, Unicorn Naso Tang

ALSO KNOWN AS

Brown Unicornfish
Doctorfish
Lancetfish
Lined Unicornfish
Longnose Doctorfish
Longnose Unicornfish
Long-snouted Unicornfish
Palefin Unicornfish
Paletail Unicornfish
Shortnose Unicornfish
Short-nosed Kala
Short-nosed Unicorn Tang
Shortsnout Unicornfish
Short-snouted Unicornfish
Spotted Unicorn
Spotted Unicorn Tang
Thorntail
Thorntail Fish
Unicorn Surgeonfish
Unicorn Naso Tang

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012

LIFE STAGE

Add a photo

Spotted Unicornfish adult, photographed at Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo,, Maldives — @colinscott · Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo,, Maldives · October 20121 / 39

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

Overview

Found in small to large schools, mid-water, over rocky shores of reef drop-offs, along current swept, steep outer lagoons and seaward reefs. Can quickly change colour with mood or when alarmed.

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

COLOURS

Pattern: spots stripes
Head & Mouth: unicorn horn
Behaviour: changes colour schooling

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, Eastern Central Pacific
Exact location · 2
Dive site · 1
Country only · 36

LIVES IN

Found in small to large schools, mid-water, over rocky shores of reef drop-offs, along current swept, steep outer lagoons and seaward reefs.

RANGE

Adult photos 39

Discussion 4

4 comments

Anne· 8 Jan 2011
Finally! Something actually helpful on Spotted Unicorn Fish!
Helpful· 1
garry· 6 Jan 2011
i went to the maldives recently andd saw a simalar fish, but the one i saw had a loger unicorn thing, and had more blad colours..:)
Helpful· 1
Eden· 5 Jan 2011
I have to write a paper on the Spotted Unicornfish. This really helped!
Helpful· 1
fishx6Top Contributor· 15 Jan 2011
Unicornfish noses will vary in length depending on age and their colours change with mood and if they feel threatened and most probably when mating!
Helpful