Naso brachycentron (Valenciennes, 1835)
Humpback unicornfish
Naso brachycentron
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Nasinae
Max. size:  90 cm FL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 8 - 30 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Marquesan and Society islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Vanuatu.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-30; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 27-28. Distinctive humped back; horn only in adult males. A few scattered small dark-edged pale spots on postorbital head and body above pectoral fins. No white margin posteriorly on caudal fin. Profile of snout from mouth to eye strongly sloping, forming an angle of about 40° to horizontal axis of body (Ref 9808). Description: Characterized further by grey color of head and upper body; whitish to yellowish lower half of body; large male with diffuse dark bars on lower half; greatest depth of body 2.3 (subadults)-2.7 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits deep coastal, usually in small groups but occasionally in large schools (Ref. 48637). Sometimes solitary (Ref. 90102). An uncommon species found in seaward reef slopes (Ref. 9710, 48637), also along rocky shores (Ref. 30573). Feeds on benthic algae (Ref. 30573). Caught with nets (Ref. 30573).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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