Naso unicornis from New CaledoniaA pair of bluespine unicornfish (Naso unicornis) found in shallow water coral reef area of Green Island, a coral reef ecosystem reserve in Taiwan
The bluespine unicornfish (Naso unicornis), also known as the short-nose unicornfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the familyAcanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is found in the Indo-Pacific.[3] It is occasionally found in the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 70 cm in length. It is called kala ('thorn') in Hawaii,[3]dawainNew Caledonia, and taortāinFiji.[4]
The bluespine unicornfish has a blueish-gray body with two blue spines on each side at the base of the tail and a short rostrum or bony horn on the forehead.[3][8] In small fish the horn is missing and males additionally have tail streamers.[3] These fish have a leather-like skin instead of scales. The bluespine unicornfish can grow up to 70 cm (28 in) with the largest one caught to be 5.8 kg (13 lb).[9][10][3]
The bluespine unicornfish is very common in the tropical Indo-Pacific region usually occurring at temperatures between 25 and 29 °C (77 and 84 °F).[10]
The bluespine unicornfish are a near shore fish. The juvenile tend to stay close to shore while the adults tend to live from shallow to the beginnings of the deep water staying within the upper 40 feet.[10] They tend to enjoy spots with waves or strong surges.[11] The bluespine unicornfish live often solitary on coral reefs or can be found in small schools of unicorn fish or as a part of larger schools with many other fish species.[3][10]
Bluespine unicornfish are eaten in abundance due to how common they are. They have a strong flavor and odor due to their diet. When skinned, the meat is white with a slight pink-red taint and a firm or moist texture. Bluespine unicornfish are usually eaten raw, boiled, grilled, baked or sauteed.[12]
The bluespine unicornfish or the Kala was an important food source in old Hawaii.[12] The tough skin of kala was sometimes stretched over a half coconut shell to make a small knee drum.[3] The Hawaiians also used Kala in ceremonies between members of a tribe or between tribes.[12] Today kala is still a common food source to the people of Hawaii and other Pacific Islands.
^Blust, Robert; Trussel, Stephen (2010). "*taRaq₂ unicorn fish: Acanthurus unicornis". Austronesian Comparative Dictionary. Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
