Bignose unicornfish
Naso vlamingii
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Bignose unicornfish
- Scientific
- Naso vlamingii
- Dhivehi
- ވާލަން މަސްVaalan mas
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 60 cm (total length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 60 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 1 to 50 m (usually 1 to 50 m)
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2010
Description
A unicornfish with a rounded, bulbous snout rather than a horn, very tall dorsal and anal fins, and a body covered in vertical blue lines that break into spots; a broad blue band runs from the eye towards the snout. It can switch these markings on and off within seconds. It forms loose groups in open water along drop-offs to feed on zooplankton.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name vaalan mas (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is very common on Maldivian reefs and often plays in divers' bubbles.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Naso-vlamingii.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- fishbase.se /comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=6024&GenusName=Naso&SpeciesName=vlami
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ވާލަން_މަސް
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Acanthuridae_-_Naso_vlamingii.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Vaalan mas' (Latin form). FishBase (country: Maldives) agrees: 'Vaalan mas'. Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ވާލަން މަސް' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FishBase also lists 'Ammas' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used.