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Blackspine unicornfish (Naso minor) — Acanthuridae

Blackspine unicornfish

Naso minor
Family: Acanthuridae

The Blackspine unicornfish (Naso minor) is a saltwater fish of the family Acanthuridae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
8.0–55.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The Blackspine unicornfish is a unicornfish (Acanthuridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a blue-grey, elongate body. It has a blue-grey body with conspicuously black keel-blades and eats mainly zooplankton. On each side of the tail base sits one or two sharp, fixed bony keel-blades that can inflict a cut; handle with care. It eats algae or zooplankton.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspine unicornfish?

The Blackspine unicornfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Blackspine unicornfish live?

The Blackspine unicornfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blackspine unicornfish get?

The Blackspine unicornfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Blackspine unicornfish dangerous to humans?

The Blackspine unicornfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartstekel-eenhoornvis sourced
English name
Blackspine unicornfish sourced
Scientific name
Naso minor
Family
Acanthuridae
Other names
Blackspine unicornfish; Little unicorn; Slender unicorn; Slender unicorn fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
8.0 verified
Max depth (m)
55.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Naso

More from the family Acanthuridae

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