Photo. (c) 2022 BSS/MCSS.
Scientific Name: Naso brachycentron
English Name: Humpback unicornfish
Creole Name: Korn
French Name: Nason bossu
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)
Description:
Dorsal spines: 4-5; Dorsal rays: 28-30; Anal spines: 2; Anal rays: 27-28.
Moderately full bodied Unicornfish, laterally compressed. Profile of snout from mouth to eye strongly sloping. Distinctive "humpbacked" profile. Dorsal hump develops at about
20 cm length below origin of soft dorsal fin. This makes the dorsal profile concave from above the eye to the origin of the soft dorsal of adults. Adult males
with a long tapering horn anterior to eye which may protrude beyond mouth. Adult females with only a prominent bump before eye. A pair of bony keels on the caudal
peduncle, those on adults with a sharp keel ending in a forward projecting point.
Colour. Head and upper half of body grey, the lower half whitish to pale yellow and mottled demarcation between the two. Several scattered small dark-edged pale spots on
the rear of the head and above the pectoral fins. Large males may have dark bars on lower side.
Size:
Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 90.0 cm FL.
Habitat and Ecology:
An uncommon species found in seaward reef slopes, also along rocky shores (depth 5-30 m, usually 15-20 m). Adults may be seen in shallow reef areas but are usually difficult
to approach underwater. Solitary or in in small groups. Feeds on benthic algae. Spawn in pairs.
Fishery Status:
This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. An uncommon species which if caught is a very rare component of the artisanal catch.
Notes:
Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles.
Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.
References:
Abesamis, R. et al. (2012). Naso brachycentron. The IUCN Red List 2012: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T177983A1511074.en. (10/07/22).
Bray, D.J. Naso brachycentron in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2194 (10/07/22).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/6020 (10/07/22).
Randall, J.E. (2001). Surgeonfishes of Hawaii and the World. ISBN: 1-56647-561-9
Citation:
Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2022). Naso brachycentron, Humpback unicornfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/naso-brachycentron-valenciennes-1835/