Marine life  /  Surgeonfish & unicornfish  /  Bluespine unicornfish
Reviewed 2026-09-06
Species entry

Bluespine unicornfish

Naso unicornis

The one with the actual horn, which grows forward past the mouth in adults.

Size
To 70 cm
Depth
3–40 m
Habitat
Reef slopes, crests and surge zones
Active
Daylight
Range
Indo-Pacific
Rarity
Bali
1 star of 5, found on most dives
SP-01
bluespine unicornfish · full body · habitat
4:3 · min 2400px

To about 70 cm, olive to blue-grey with two bright blue fixed blades on each side of the caudal peduncle and, in adults, a horn projecting forward from the forehead that can extend beyond the mouth. Juveniles have no horn and are easily taken for another surgeonfish. The horn’s function is not settled; it is present in both sexes and does not appear to be used in fighting.

It browses leafy brown algae on reef crests and upper slopes, often where surge is strong, in loose groups. Adult males develop long tail filaments. It is one of the larger herbivores on these reefs and among the more heavily fished. Recorded from about 3 to 40 m.

Where to find:

LocationRarity Best monthsDepthHabitat
Bali Indonesia editorial estimate
1 star of 5, found on most dives
Year-round
3–40 m
Reef slopes, crests and surge zones
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea editorial estimate
1 star of 5, found on most dives
Year-round
3–40 m
Reef crest and slopes
Anilao Philippines editorial estimate
2 stars of 5, usually seen in a week
Year-round
3–35 m
Coral reef and slopes
Lembeh Strait Indonesia editorial estimate
3 stars of 5, a good week should turn one up
Year-round
3–35 m
Coral reef and reef slopes

Ratings are per location: 1 means found on most dives that look for it, 5 means a handful of records. Where enough dives have been logged the figure is calculated from them; otherwise it is an editorial estimate, and says so. We publish habitat and destination, not the dive site.

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