Sleek unicornfish
📖 Overview
Inhabits clear lagoon and seaward reef slopes . Benthopelagic . Usually seen in large schools . Mainly diurnal, it feeds on zooplankton such as crab larvae, arrow worms, pelagic tunicates, and occasionally filamentous red algae. The species is never poisonous . Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26 - 29; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 27 - 30. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body moderately deep and compressed, its depth 2.6 to 3.2 times in standard length (SL); dorsal profile of body uniformly convex, without any bony horn-like projection or protuberance anteriorly on head; mouth small; incisiform teeth very small, somewhat pointed, finely serrate on edges, as many as 80 in upper jaw and 100 in lower jaw of large adults; continuous unnotched D VI (rarely V or VII),26-29; A II,27-30; pectoral-fin rays 17-18 (usually 17); pelvic fins I,3; caudal fin slightly emarginate in young, becoming truncate in adults; caudal peduncle slender, subcylindrical, with a pair of bony plates on each side that develop large sharp antrorse keels with age; body colour dark brownish grey, shading ventrally to yellowish (life colour may vary from dark brown to light blue-grey); edge of operculum and preopercle usually dark brown; dorsal and anal fins yellowish with faint diagonal brown bands and a blue margin; tongue black at lengths of 25 cm or more .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Sleek unicornfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Spawn in pairs .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 150 m , usually 10 - 137 m . Tropical; 25°C - 28°C ; 31°N - 32°S, 30°E - 122°W East Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
zooplankton such as crab larvae, arrow worms, pelagic tunicates, and occasionally filamentous red al
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Sleek unicornfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 152 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Sleek unicornfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Black Unicornfish · Black Unicornfish, Sleek unicornfish · Blacktongue Unicornfish · Nohorn Unicorn · Thorpe's Unicornfish · kala · sleek unicornfish |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Sorttunget Næsehornsfisk |
| 🇫🇷French | Nason Jaune · Nason lisse · Nason noir |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Tenguhagi-modoki · Tenguhagimodoki · テングハギモドキ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Rufia Lisa |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Barbero Liso |
| 🌍TAH | ume 'ere'ere, ume turipo |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callicanthus metoposophron | Jenkins | 1903 | Synonym |
| Naseus tapeinosoma | Bleeker | 1854 | Synonym |
| Naseus vomer | Klunzinger | 1871 | Synonym |
| Naso genimarginatus | Herre | 1927 | Synonym |
| Naso tapeinosoma | - | - | Synonym |
| Naso thorpei | Smith | 1966 | Synonym |
| Naso vomer | Klunzinger | 1871 | Synonym |
| Priodon hexacanthus | Bleeker | 1855 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Sleek unicornfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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