Creature Feature – Unicornfish
This week is the letter ‘U’, and today’s featured creature is Unicornfishes.
Unicornfishes comprise a group of fish in the genus Naso, which is under the family Acanthuridae. You might know other fish in the family, including tangs and surgeonfishes. There are about 19 species within the genus Naso, but only some of them have the iconic “horn” protruding from their face!
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Acanthuridae
Subfamily: Nasinae
Family: Naso
Unicornfishes Fact File
Size: Species can grow up to 70cm in length and weigh up to 6kg
Distribution: They are found across the tropical Indo-Pacific region
Diet: Species eat small plankton, and sometimes algae, during the daylight hours
Behaviour: Researchers are not sure why certain species have developed a horn but one theory is that it is used in mate selection
IUCN Status: Least Concern. However, Like many species, unicornfishes rely on healthy, sustainable reef ecosystems. Coral reefs are currently under threat from climate change, and there is no healthy future for our reefs, and their inhabitants, such as unicornfish, unless we act now to reduce greenhouse gas pollution
