Pacific Orange-spine Unicornfish
Pacific Orange-spine Unicornfish
Naso lituratus
Also known as: Clown Unicornfish · Orangespine Unicornfish · Lipstick Surgeonfish · Clown Surgeonfish · Black-finned Unicornfish · Stripe-faced Unicorn-fish
Actinopterygii
UNCOMMON

Stats

Lifespan
30-45 yrs
Size
Medium
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Social
School
Biome
Coral reef
Range
Pacific Ocean
Movement
Swimming
Breeding
Egg-laying
Defense
Spines
Status
Uncommon

About

This tropical fish lives among the coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean. It wields two razor-sharp, orange-colored spines on each side of its tail base for defense.

Life cycle

  1. 1.
    hatchling fry
    A tiny fry hatches with a yolk sac and begins free-swimming once the sac is absorbed.
  2. 2.
    juvenile
    A juvenile takes on adult body shape and feeds on small prey, often in nursery waters.
  3. 3.
    adult
    Fully grown at adult size and coloration.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Acanthuriformes
Family
Acanthuridae
Genus
Naso
Species
Naso lituratus