Scribbled unicornfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scribbled unicornfish |
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The scribbled unicornfish (Naso maculatus) is a cool type of fish that lives in the ocean. It's also called the spotted unicornfish. This fish is part of a family called Acanthuridae, which includes surgeonfishes and tangs. You can find these fish in the western part of the Pacific Ocean.
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Discovering the Scribbled Unicornfish
Scientists give every living thing a special name. This helps them organize and study nature. The scribbled unicornfish, Naso maculatus, got its official name in 1981. Two American fish experts, John Ernest Randall and Paul J. Struhsaker, described it for the first time. They found the first one near Haleiwa on Oahu, Hawaii.
This fish belongs to a group called Naso. The Naso group is the only one in its special fish family, Nasinae.
What's in a Name?
The scientific name for this fish is Naso maculatus. The word maculatus means "spotted" in Latin. This is a perfect name because both young and adult scribbled unicornfish have many dark spots on their bodies.
What Does a Scribbled Unicornfish Look Like?
The scribbled unicornfish has a long, thin body. Unlike some other unicornfish, it doesn't have a horn or bump growing from its head.
Its top fin, called the dorsal fin, has 6 or 7 stiff spines. It also has 26 to 28 soft rays. The fin underneath, called the anal fin, has 2 spines and 26 to 28 soft rays.
Near its tail, there are two small, hard bumps. These bumps stick out a little bit. The tail fin itself is slightly curved inward. It doesn't have long, stringy parts on the ends.
The fish is usually bluish-grey. Its belly is a lighter color. The top three-quarters of its body are covered in many dark spots and lines. Its head also has similar, but less clear, markings. A dark line runs along its side, breaking into spots near the tail. This fish can grow up to about 45 centimeters (about 1.5 feet) long.
Where Do Scribbled Unicornfish Live?
Scribbled unicornfish live in the Western Pacific Ocean. They are found in two main areas, far apart from each other. In the north, you can find them near Wakayama Prefecture in Japan and around the Hawaiian Islands. In the south, they live near New Caledonia and islands off Australia. In Australia, they've been seen near southern Queensland, Lord Howe Island, and Middleton Reef.
These fish prefer deep water. They live on the outer slopes of coral reefs. You can find them at depths between 20 and 220 meters (about 65 to 720 feet) below the surface.
