English Name: Spotted unicornfish
Family: ACANTHURIDAE
Local Name: Thunbi
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 55 cm
Specimen: MRS/0381/92
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 6 spines and 27-29 rays. Anal fin with 2 spines and 27-29 rays. Pectoral rays 16-17. Body depth varying from 2.0 in standard length of subadults to 2.7 in adults. Adults with long bony projection in front of the eyes extending well in front of the mouth. Profile of snout between base of horn and mouth almost vertical. Caudal fin truncate to slightly rounded.
Colour: Dark brown with pale blue dots on head and body, the dots sometimes join to form irregular lines. Eye rimmed with yellow. Juveniles bright yellow.
Habitat and Biology: Common on coral reefs up to depths of 40 m. Feeds on benthic algae when young, shifting principally to zooplankton when adult.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
Remarks: Naso brevirostris is a common and distinctive member of the Maldivian reef fish fauna. Its scientific name (“short rostrum”) is based on a small specimen with a short horn.