Naso hexacanthus

(Bleeker, 1855)

Vernacular names
English : Sleek unicornfish
French : Nason lisse

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Acanthuriformes (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Acanthuridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Elongated oval-shaped body with pointed snout and yellow eyes. Curved line along edge of gill coverts and S-shaped grey line on cheeks. Coloration silvery-grey, blue tinge on tail-fin edge.

Range and habitat
Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and Marquesas islands, to south Japan and Lord Howe Island. Found in clear lagoons and deep seaward reef slopes.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a large range and doesn’t seem to be uncommon. It is caught for food in big numbers but rarely for trade. It is safe as it tends to occur in fairly deep waters.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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