Short-nosed unicornfish | |
---|---|
At the Toledo Zoo | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Perciformes |
Family: | Acanthuridae |
Genus: | Naso |
Species: | N. brevirostris |
Binomial name | |
Naso brevirostris (G. Cuvier, 1829) |
The short-nosed unicornfish or spotted unicornfish (Naso brevirostris) is a species of unicornfish in the family Acanthuridae and is widespread throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Another species, Naso maculatus, may also be called the spotted unicornfish. The short-nosed unicornfish dwells in rocky shore and reef habitats, and prefers water temperatures ranging from 22.4 to 29° Celsius. This species is listed as "least concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and there are no observed declines as a result of commercial or recreational fishing. Juveniles feed on benthic algae, and adults feed on algae and zooplankton.