Naso lituratus
A surgeonfish with orange spines, orange lips, and a black face mask.
Naso lituratus, commonly known as the clown unicornfish, orangespined unicornfish, or stripefaced unicornfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the family Acanthuridae, which includes surgeonfishes, unicornfishes, and tangs. It is notable for its bright orange forward-hooked spines on the caudal peduncle, orange lips, and black face mask, and is native to coral reefs of the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, often found in pairs.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Naso lituratus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Naso lituratus was first formally described in 1801 as Acanthurus lituratus by German naturalist Johann Reinhold Forster, without a stated type locality, though it is considered to be Tahiti in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. It is classified within the nominate subgenus of the genus Naso, which is the only genus in the subfamily Nasinae. The species is easily identified by two bright orange forward-hooked spines on the caudal peduncle, orange lips, and a black face mask. Its body is brownish grey with a yellow nape and a broad black band on the dorsal fin. Adult males have a lengthy filament at the apex of the lobe of the pelvic fin. The caudal fin is lunate or crescent-shaped. Juveniles have a stifling gray-brown tint with black, yellow, and white patterns, and their blades are not fully grown. This species lacks the forehead horns seen in some other Acanthuridae. Unique to members of Acanthuridae, including Naso lituratus, are Epulopiscium bacteria that aid digestion of algae.
Reader's Guide
Naso lituratus is a species of surgeonfish native to coral reefs of the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, including the Great Barrier Reef and Hawaii. It is often found in pairs. The sexes are separate and permanent, with distinct differences in size. In populations near Guam, spawning occurs year-round. The species requires high oxygen levels, strong water currents, companions, and plenty of wild algae to feed upon. Its primary self-defense tactic is extending its strong tail spines to strike approaching predators. The species was first formally described in 1801 by Johann Reinhold Forster as Acanthurus lituratus, with the type locality considered to be Tahiti. It is classified in the genus Naso, subfamily Nasinae, family Acanthuridae. The Epulopiscium bacteria found in Acanthuridae members aid in digesting algae. The species reaches about 45 cm in length and is easily identified by its orange caudal peduncle spines, orange lips, and black face mask.
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