Humpback Unicornfish (Naso Brachycentron)

Species Name : Naso Brachycentron

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Peaceful

Diet : Herbivor

Color : Grey

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 90.0 cm / 35.4 inches

Reef Compatible : Yes

Origin : Western and Eastern Indian Ocean, Western Central and Eastern Central Pacific

Family : Acanthuridae 

Minimum Tank Size : 300 gallons

Naso Brachycentron, the Humpback Unicornfish, is a species of unicornfish commonly found in tropical reefs, so named because of its distinctive humped back. While it may not have striking patterns or colours, it does have a unique appearance.

Dark gray upper part of the body, turning into a pale gray downwards, a characteristic hunchbacked back; horn only in adult males.  A few scattered small dark-edged pale spots on postorbital head and body above pectoral fins. No white margin posteriorly on caudal fin. 

Due to their size, they need an exceptionally large aquarium. Make sure your tank is at least 300 gallons. Fish this size need plenty of space for swimming with lots of live rock and coral for shelter and grazing. They hide in caves and crevices overnight, so the gaps in the rock must be large enough for your specimen. The water need to be high in oxygen. Don’t keep more than one specimen in the sameaquarium, unless it’s a very large aquarium. Keep the environment stable and allow for some algal growth and detritus accumulation.

Unicornfish, have a reputation for being more mellow than other Surgeonfish. But they are still aggressive with their own kind and similar species. Most smaller fish are safe to co-habit with the Humpback Unicornfish. This includes peaceful fish such as Gobies and Fairy Wrasses. More aggressive fish such as Damselfish, Dottybacks and Clownfish should also be fine. The only suitable Tangs are ones of a different size, shape, colour and genus. More aggressive predatory fish such as Groupers and Lionfish are ok if they are smaller.

Humpback unicornfish is one of those species that should be put in last in an established system. 

Humpback Unicornfish are herbivores. In the wild, they feed on benthic algae. They can adapt to aquarium food and will eat various algae and plant-based diet which includes some meaty food. Marine algae, seaweed such as Nori, Spirulina, food flakes and pellets are suitable. They will also consume items like Brine Shrimp and Mysis Shrimp. Between feeding, they will graze on naturally on algae in the tank. You should feed them 3 times per day.