WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Whitemargin Unicornfish

Naso annulatus

Also known as: Banded Unicornfish, Bluefin Unicorn Tang, Bluefin Unicornfish, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Longhorn Unicornfish, Nosefish, Ring-tailed Unicornfish, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Whitemargin Surgeonfish, Whitemargin Unicorn, Whitemargin Unicorn Tang, White-margined Unicornfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@fishx6 · Australia · July 20091 / 3
01

Overview

Found in small schools, over outer reef drop-offs, in deep water reefs.
They feed on benthic algae and zooplankton. Can quickly change colour with mood.
Juveniles found over clear, shallow lagoon 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
Fins & Tail
white tail
Head & Mouth
unicorn horn

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 3
LIVES IN

Found in small schools, over outer reef drop-offs, in deep water reefs.

04

Adult photos 3

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 annulatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)