Bluespine Unicornfish

Naso unicornis

FishMarine

The body is elongated, gray-blue to olive, with a long frontal horn in adults. The caudal spines are bright blue. The caudal fin is truncated. Juveniles have a short horn. It is an active fish that swims in open water. It can be aggressive towards other surgeonfish. It feeds mainly on algae but also on plankton. In the aquarium, it needs large open spaces.

Recommended parameters

ParameterRecommended range
Temperature24–28
pH8.1–8.4
GH8–12
KH8–12
NO₃≤ 20
PO₄≤ 0.1

Care

Difficulty4/5
Dietherbivore
Min. tank800 L
Min. group1
Adult size50 cm
Lifespan12 ans
TemperamentSemi-aggressive

Care notes

Temperature 24-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025. A minimum 800-liter aquarium is recommended. Herbivorous diet: algae, nori, spirulina, vegetable and plankton supplements. Avoid keeping it with other Naso or aggressive surgeonfish. A large volume with strong flow and efficient filtration is essential. Nitrates <20 mg/L, phosphates <0.1 mg/L. Good oxygenation is crucial.