Naso fageni Morrow, 1954
Horseface unicornfish
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Nasinae
Max. size:  80 cm FL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 35 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Kenya south to Bazaruto Islands (Mozambique), Aldabra and Seychelles, and east to the Philippines (Ref. 3145). Reported from southern Japan (Ref. 9710) and Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-26; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 23-25. Olivaceous grey in color; adults with small dusky spots and large specimens with a short protuberance above upper lip (Ref. 3145). Body ovate and compressed (Ref. 37429). Description: Characterized further by having black opercular margins; caudal peduncle with pair of bony plates, each with sharp forward projecting keel; greatest depth of body 2.0 (subadults)-3.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  An uncommon species found in coral and rocky reefs (Ref. 9710). Solitary or in small groups (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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