Orangespine unicornfish (Naso lituratus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Naso lituratus
- Common name
- Orangespine unicornfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Genus
- Naso
- Size
- 30–46 cm
- Depth
- 1–90 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- schooling
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Naso lituratus reaches 46 cm. Unicornfish (Acanthuridae) with slender olive-gray-brown body with bright orange mask around eyes and lips, dorsal and anal fins bordered with orange line, two bright orange scalpels on caudal peduncle (defensive weapon). Without frontal unicorn unlike other Naso. Lives from 1 to 90 m on coral reefs of central to eastern Indo-Pacific (Hawaii). Herbivore grazing algae. Appreciated photo subject for orange-gray contrasts.
Photo of Orangespine unicornfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Orangespine unicornfish?
- Orangespine unicornfish (Naso lituratus) reaches 30–46 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Orangespine unicornfish?
- Orangespine unicornfish is found between 1–90 m deep.
- Is the Orangespine unicornfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Orangespine unicornfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Orangespine unicornfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Naso
- Naso vlamingii - Vlaming's unicornfish
- Naso brevirostris - Short-nosed unicornfish
- Naso elegans - Elegant Unicornfish
- Naso unicornis - Unicornfish
- Naso annulatus - Annulate Unicornfish
- Naso hexacanthus - Sawtooth 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 219665)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5209096)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia