This is the Naso brevirostris or Paletail unicornfish
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This is a surgeonfish.
Itʻs scientific name is Naso Brevirostris, and is also referred to as the short-nosed or paletail unicornfish or surgeonfish. In Hawaii we call it kala lōlō. Kala meaning thorn and lōlō meaning crazy. This species is distinguishable with its grayish/blue body and white tail with the dark spot.
The Kala have a pair of sharp forward pointing spines located at the base of the tail that can be used as a defense mechanism. Some species, including this one, will grow a horn out the top of their head much like a unicorn horn. (There is only 9 of the 19 species within the Naso species that have the horn) The function of this horn is not fully understood. However, it is believed that it may play a role in mating. Males may use it to signal females that they are a good mate. They have the ability to change the color of their horns enabling them to compete against other males and perhaps getting the females attention.
The unicorn fish have been featured in the Hawaiian culture frequently such as in art, stamps, and logos.
Their tough skin was sometimes stretched over half a coconut shell to create a small drum. They are an important species on our reef. Surgeonfish are the most abundant herbivores in the Hawaiian coral reefs. They are considered browsers. Meaning they will eat larger pieces of seaweed/limu. They pull and scrape the algae off the reef preventing the coral polyps from being smothered. This will allow coral to grow and have a clean and clear space to regenerate. Even their waste is useful in providing nutrients to the coral. Kala is sought after by fisherman. They are good to eat, however, their take should be monitored. Without them on the reef, algae can overgrow and kill the corals and the reef as we know it.
The image above was taken during a Private Ocean Project Maui Snorkel Tour.
This colorful image was taken off a West Maui Beach by the dedicated staff of Ocean Project Maui. They offer custom, private snorkel tours around the island of Maui, Hawaii. Each #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN image you see in our monthly blog, was captured during a private guided snorkel tour. These amazing images, as well as images above and below the water of the clients/supporters are included in every tour at no additional cost.
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