Bluespine unicornfish

The bluespine unicornfish or short-nose unicornfish (Naso unicornis) is a tang from the Indo-Pacific.[2] It is occasionally found in the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 70 cm in length. It is called kala (meaning "thorn") in Hawaii,[2] dawa in New Caledonia, and ta or tā in Fiji.[3]

Bluespine unicornfish
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

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][4] 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 unicornfish can grow up to 27 inches with the largest one caught to be 12.7 lbs.[5][6][2]

Distribution

The bluespine unicornfish is very common in the tropical Indo-Pacific region usually occurring at temperatures between 77 and 85 F.[6]

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.[6] They tend to enjoy spots with waves or strong surges.[7] 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][6]

Diet

Bluespine unicornfish are herbivores and feed on brown and red algae with coarse or leafy blades.[7][6]

Human use and 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.[8]

The bluespine unicornfish or the Kala was an important food source in old Hawaii.[8] 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.[8] 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.
  2. 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. Blust, Robert; Trussel, Stephen (2010). "*taRaq₂ unicorn fish: Acanthurus unicornis". Austronesian Comparative Dictionary. Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Retrieved 8 November 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. Bray, D.J. (2019). "Naso unicornis in Fishes of Australia". Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
  5. Animal-World. "Bluespine Unicornfish". Animal World. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  6. "Bluespine Unicornfish". Georgia Aquarium. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  7. "Unicornfish". thisfish.info. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  8. Titcomb, Margaret (1972-11-01). Native Use of Fish in Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0592-0.
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