Naso brevirostris is a common and distinctive member of the Maldivian reef fish fauna, its scientific name being derived from the Latin phrase "short rostrum" due to its small size and short horn.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 55 cm
color
Dark brown with pale blue dots on head and body, the dots sometimes join to form irregular lines. Eye rimmed with yellow. Juveniles bright yellow.
This species is commonly found in coral reefs to depths of 40 meters. As juveniles, they feed on benthic algae, but as adults, their diet shifts mainly to zooplankton.
distinctive characters
This species has a dorsal fin with 6 spines and 27-29 rays, an anal fin with 2 spines and 27-29 rays, and 16-17 pectoral rays. The body depth of subadults is 2.0 in standard length, while adults have a body depth of 2.7. Adults also have a long bony projection in front of the eyes that extends well in front of the mouth, and the profile of the snout between the base of the horn and the mouth is almost vertical. The caudal fin is truncate to slightly rounded.