Sawtooth Unicornfish (Naso hexacanthus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Naso hexacanthus
- Common name
- Sawtooth Unicornfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Genus
- Naso
- Size
- 50–72 cm
- Depth
- 10–80 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, schooling
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Naso hexacanthus reaches 72 cm. Blue-green unicornfish with six tail spines (hence the name). Large schools. Active schooling herbivore. Indo-Pacific tropical coral reefs, 10-80 m depth. Spectacular to observe. LC (IUCN).
Photo of Sawtooth Unicornfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Sawtooth Unicornfish?
- Sawtooth Unicornfish (Naso hexacanthus) reaches 50–72 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Sawtooth Unicornfish?
- Sawtooth Unicornfish is found between 10–80 m deep.
- Is the Sawtooth Unicornfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Sawtooth Unicornfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Sawtooth Unicornfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Naso
- Naso lituratus - Orangespine unicornfish
- Naso vlamingii - Vlaming's unicornfish
- Naso brevirostris - Short-nosed unicornfish
- Naso elegans - Elegant Unicornfish
- Naso unicornis - Unicornfish
- Naso annulatus - Annulate Unicornfish
Other species in the family Acanthuridae
- Acanthurus chirurgus - Doctorfish
- Acanthurus tractus - Atlantic blue tang
- Prionurus punctatus - Yellowtail surgeonfish
- Acanthurus pyroferus - Mimic Surgeonfish
- Prionurus laticlavius - Blackstriped Surgeon
- Acanthurus lineatus - Striped Surgeonfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 219667)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5209121)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia