Bluespine unicornfish

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Bluespine unicornfish
Nasounicornis-Blauklingen.jpg

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Acanthuridae
Genus: Naso
Species:
N. unicornis
Binomial name
Naso unicornis
(Forsskål, 1775)
Naso unicornis from New Caledonia
A pair of bluespine unicornfish (Naso unicornis) found in shallow water coral reef area of Green Island, a coral reef ecosystem reserve in Taiwan

The bluespine unicornfish or short-nose unicornfish (Naso unicornis) is a tang from the Indo-Pacific.[2] It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 70cm in length. It is called kala (meaning "thorn") in Hawaii,[2] and dawa in New Caledonia.

Description[]

The bluespine unicornfish has a blueish-gray body with two blue spines on each side at the base of the tail and a short rostrum or bony horn on the forehead.[2][3] In small fish the horn is missing and males additionally have tail streamers.[2] These fish have a leather like skin instead of scales. The Bluespine Unicorn fish can grow up to 27 inches with the largest one caught to be 12.7 lbs.[4][5][2]

Distribution[]

The bluespine unicornfish is very common in the tropical Indo-Pacific region usually occurring at temperatures between 77 and 85 F.[5]

Habitat[]

The bluespine unicornfish are a near shore fish. The juvenile tend to stay close to shore while the adults tend to live from shallow to the beginnings of the deep water staying within the upper 40 feet.[5] They tend to enjoy spots with waves or strong surges.[6] The bluespine unicornfish live often solitary on coral reefs or can be found in small schools of unicorn fish or as a part of larger schools with many other fish species.[2][5]

Diet[]

Bluespine unicornfish are herbivores and feed on brown and red algae with coarse or leafy blades.[6][5]

Human Use & Cultural Significance[]

Bluespine unicornfish are eaten in abundance due to how common they are. They have a strong flavor and odor due to their diet. When skinned, the meat is white with a slight pink-red taint and a firm or moist texture. Bluespine unicornfish are usually eaten raw, boiled, grilled, baked or sauteed.[7]

The Bluespine unicornfish or the Kala was an important food source in old Hawaii.[7] The tough skin of kala was sometimes stretched over a half coconut shell to make a small knee drum.[2] The Hawaiians also used Kala in ceremonies between members of a tribe or between tribes.[7] Today kala is still a common food source to the people of Hawaii and other Pacific Islands.

References[]

  1. ^ Abesamis, R.; Clements, K.D.,; Choat, J.H.; McIlwain, J.; Myers, R.; Nanola, C.; Rocha, L.A.; Russell, B.; Stockwell, B. (2012). "Naso unicornis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T177970A1506556. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T177970A1506556.en.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Hoover, John P. (2008). The ultimate guide to Hawaiian reef fishes sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and seals. John P. Hoover. Honolulu: Mutual Pub. ISBN 978-1-56647-887-8. OCLC 243960518.
  3. ^ Bray, D.J. (2019). "Naso unicornis in Fishes of Australia".
  4. ^ Animal-World. "Bluespine Unicornfish". Animal World. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Bluespine Unicornfish". Georgia Aquarium. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  6. ^ a b "Unicornfish". thisfish.info. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  7. ^ a b c Titcomb, Margaret (1972-11-01). Native Use of Fish in Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0592-0.

External links[]


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