Bluespine unicorn fish
Bluespine unicorn fish
Naso unicornis
Max. size: 70 cm
Geographical distribution:
From the Red Sea to the Pacific.
Biology:
This fish belongs to the family of surgeon fish who owe their name to the scalpel-like cutting blade which they have at the base of their tail. If the surgeon fish feels threatened, it raises its blades to wound its assailants. The bluespine unicorn fish has two blue blades on each side, so it is doubly able to defend itself.
It is also known as a unicorn fish because it has a bump above its eye which changes to a horn as it grows, but which never grows longer then the end of its nose.
This is generally a solitary species in running, shallow waters, while the young live in a community close to the reefs.
Like all surgeon fish it is a herbivore and feeds on algae. It swallows sand to crush them and facilitate digestion.
In a number of tropical regions, surgeon fish are an important source of food for the human population, although their flesh is toxic because they feed on poisonous algae. Eating these fish can cause a form of poisoning known as Ciguatera.
