Naso tonganus

(Valenciennes, 1835)

Vernacular names
English : Bulbnose unicornfish
French : Nason à nez bulbeux

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

Identification
Adult specimens grow to 60 cm in length. Back with a pronounced hump behind head, head with a round bulbous hump on forehead, conspicuous ridge at base of head hump. Coloration silvery bluish with black dots, pink tinge on belly.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area from East Africa to Samoa, north to south Japan and south to Australia and New Caledonia. Lives in coral reefs, from 3 to 25 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is widespread and common but is an important food fish, particularly in Asia where it is targeted by fisheries. No declines noted so far.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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