Home · Acanthuridae · Oneknife unicornfish
Oneknife unicornfish (Naso thynnoides) — Acanthuridae

Oneknife unicornfish

Naso thynnoides
Family: Acanthuridae
LC · Least Concern

The Oneknife unicornfish (Naso thynnoides) is a saltwater fish of the family Acanthuridae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The oneknife unicornfish is a surgeonfish from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a streamlined, grey-blue body with fine cross-lines and, unlike some relatives, no forehead horn. On each side of the tail base it bears sharp bony keel plates that can cause cuts. It forms schools above outer reefs and eats zooplankton. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Oneknife unicornfish?

The Oneknife unicornfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Oneknife unicornfish live?

The Oneknife unicornfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Oneknife unicornfish get?

The Oneknife unicornfish grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Oneknife unicornfish dangerous to humans?

The Oneknife unicornfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Oneknife unicornfish edible?

Yes, the Oneknife unicornfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gestreepte eenhoornvis verified
English name
Oneknife unicornfish verified
Scientific name
Naso thynnoides
Family
Acanthuridae
Other names
Barred unicornfish; Little unicorn; Oneknife unicorn; Oneknife unicornfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Naso

More from the family Acanthuridae

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