Scientific Name:
Naso unicornis (Forskal, 1775)
Other Common Names:
Bluespine Unicorn Surgeonfish, Large Unicorn Tang, Green Naso Tang
Identification:
In the juvenile stage its body is of a light green-grayish color. Running longitudinally along the dorsal and anal fins are bright, almost fluorescent, turquoise blue colored stripes. This bright blue color also surrounds the razors on the caudal spine by the tail, the eye is surrounded by a goldenrod color, and the lips have an appearance of wearing pale, light blue lipstick. As an adult this fish looses the lighter green body color, turning to more of a grayish tone combined with some blue hues. The horn remains small and short. Its skin is smooth, almost scaleless looking.
Distribution:
The distribution of this species extends from Hawaii southward to central Polynesia, westward through Micronesia and Melanesia, through the East Indies, and across the Indian Ocean to the coast of Africa and the Red Sea.
Diet:
The Green Naso is a herbivore, feeding on marine micro and macroalgae. It will readily eat tank fed greens like sushi nori (natural dried seaweed), romaine lettuce, other green vegetables, marine algae enhanced flake foods and Spirulina. Sometimes it will nibble at meaty fares as well.
Characteristics:
This being a local food fish in Hawaii, its capture for either food of aquarium fish collection purposes is REGULATED and can only be taken starting at nine inches. With these regulations you can see it is a fish that is only suitable for large showsize tanks to insure it has plenty of room. This Unicorn Fish can reach large sizes up to 20, possibly 24 inches. Because of its size and roaming nature it is recommended for only VERY large aquariums.
Care Rating:
We give this Unicorn Tang species a
ONE STAR Fish Care Rating. It adapts well to tank life. Just be sure to give it lots of room to roam around in, good housing and plenty of algae and greens to eat. To learn more about the basic characteristics and feeding habits of this Surgeonfish and others, refer to our
Tang & Surgeonfish Family Profile.
