This is an Orange spine surgeonfish (Naso lituratus), also referred to as a unicorn fish or a tang.

They are in the family Acanthuridae. These fish have an oval/oblong body, little orange lips, eyes high on their head, and razor sharp bones located at the base of their caudal fin/tail fin.

The males will have the long streamers/filaments off of their tails. These type of fish are some of the most common fish found on the reefs in Maui. They get the name surgeon fish because those bones, located at the base of their caudal fin/tail fin, are sharp like a surgeons scalpel. They use them as a form of defense.

Unlike most unicorn fish, this species does not have a horn. Most surgeon fish are herbivores eating and scraping algae, some eat organic matter/detritus on the ocean floor. Whereas, unicorn fish typically eat plankton. In the Hawaiian waters, we have about 23 acanturid species. They can be found on the reef, typically in shallow waters, but have also been spotted in depths of over 200 feet.

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.

Be sure to visit our Blog each and every month for the latest #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN post.

Contact Ocean Project Maui today to build your very own custom Ocean Project Maui snorkel tour.

(808) 280-0873

https://www.oceanprojectmaui.com