Common name: Oneknife unicornfish
General information
The Orangespine Unicornfish, scientifically known as Naso thynnoides, is a striking member of the Acanthuridae family, renowned for its unique horn-like protrusion on its forehead and vibrant orange spines on its caudal peduncle. This species is not as commonly kept as some other surgeonfish, but it can be a captivating addition to larger marine aquariums due to its impressive size and distinctive appearance.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 750 liter (200 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 45 cm (1′6″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Needs ample swimming space
- Diet
- Herbivore Prefers algae, seaweed
- Social
- Solo Can be territorial
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive May be aggressive to conspecifics
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerciformesPerciformes
- FamilySurgeonfishAcanthuridae
- GenusUnicornfishNaso
- SpeciesOneknife unicornfishNaso thynnoides (Cuvier, 1829)
- SynonymsAxinurus thynnoides Cuvier, 1829
Care
Caring for the Orangespine Unicornfish requires a spacious tank, ideally over 500 liters, to accommodate its potential size of up to 70 centimeters in length. They are active swimmers and need plenty of open water for swimming, as well as hiding places among live rock. A varied diet of marine algae, seaweed, and meaty foods is essential for their health. Due to their size and diet, they produce a significant amount of waste, so efficient filtration and regular water changes are crucial.
Reproduction
In the wild, Naso thynnoides forms large spawning aggregations, and reproduction involves pelagic spawning where eggs and sperm are released into the water column. In the home aquarium, breeding is rare and not well-documented, making captive-bred specimens virtually non-existent.
Habitat
Orangespine Unicornfish are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They inhabit coral reefs and lagoon waters, often seen grazing on algae. They can be found at depths ranging from shallow waters to about 30 meters.