Name: Orangespine unicornfish, redlip surgeonfish, striped unicornfish
Scientific Name: Naso lituratus (Forster, 1801)
Family: Acanthuridae
Group: Bony fish
Class: Fish
Size: 11-25 cm.
The orangespine unicornfish owes its name to the two extremely sharp bright orange-coloured spines, which it has on each side of its body, next to the caudal fin. These are used for self defence when it feels threatened, and as they are joined to poisonous glands can inflict deep and quite painful injuries. It is a very common species in areas rich in coral, with rocks, loose stones or sand, at depths up to 90 m.
Photo by:
Abílio Leitão
Oceanário Location
Tropical Indian
