Most people have come to the conclusion that animals with horns are mainly the terrestrial animals, that is to say, animals that live on land. But some animals that dwell in the aquatic domains have horn-like features.
The most well-known fish with horns are the Unicorns, which are in the genus Naso. But not all species in this genus have these bony structures like a unicorn as some of them might only have a small bump, while others might not have this at all.
See the top 7 Fishes with Horns.
1. Bluespine Unicorn Tang
One such fascinating fish is the bluespine unicorn tang, found in the Indo-Pacific region where a lot of other interesting fish species are been discovered.
The creature’s body is bluish-gray, and you can see that there are two blue spines on each side of the base of the tail. Also, the creature’s forehead has a large bony horn, creating a unique look among other fishes. This horn only appears on big fish, and adults can grow to be as long as 70 cm.
2. Shorthorned Unicornfish
This unicornfish lives in lagoons and seaward reefs at depths of up to 46 meters, and this species feeds on algae as juveniles and gelatinous zooplankton as adults.
The shorthorned unicornfish is another remarkable-looking fish found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. You may identify them by their short snout, with adults having distinct bony protuberances in front of their eyes, and a coloration ranging from blueish-gray to olive-brown.
3. Longhorn Cowfish
The longhorn cow fish possesses a visual look of a pair of long horns that protrude from its head, closely corresponding to the horns of a cow or bull. These fish settle in the Indo-Pacific region and can reach lengths of up to 50 cm.
They are found in inhabitants such as coral reefs, lagoons, flats, and estuaries, where they actively engage in maintaining the health and balance of the reef ecosystem by preying on invertebrates that pose a threat to the coral reefs.
Talking about these horns, they are multifunctional, one of the interesting purpose is the defence mechanism, in the face of danger, these animals can use their horns as a weapon, charging fearlessly at potential predators that dare threaten them.
4. Whitemargin Unicornfish
The Whitemargin unicornfish is a large tropical fish that lives in the Indo-Pacific region. This particular species can grow up to 100 cm long, making it one of the biggest in its family.
This marine creature has a bony protrusion in front of its eyes that looks like a horn. These fish like to live in lagoons with shallow, clear water where they eat green algae. But as they grow and become adults, their eating habits change, and they start eating soft zooplankton.
5. Fourhorn sculpin
The fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) is a species of fish in the Cottidae family, the typical sculpins. This species has a Holarctic distribution and can be found in marine, brackish and fresh waters.
Predators of fourhorn sculpins are piscivorous fishes and birds. They do not appear to be a heavily parasitized species in either freshwater or seawater.
In marine habitats, the average length that it reaches is between 20 and 30 cm. However, their average length is only around 15 cm for those residing in lakes. They typically feed on invertebrates, small fishes, and fish eggs.
6. Humpback Unicornfish
The humpback unicornfish, also belonging to the genus Naso, is one of the species you can find in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. Males often have a bony protrusion that sticks out in front of their eyes and sometimes even goes past their mouths.
However, the females lack these characteristics, and it may appear only as a small bump. These creatures can reach a maximum length of 90 cm, and their upper bodies and heads are gray, while their lower bodies are yellowish or whitish.
7. Moorish Idol
The humpback unicornfish, also belonging to the genus Naso, is one of the species you can find in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. Males often have a bony protrusion that sticks out in front of their eyes and sometimes even goes past their mouths.
However, the females lack these characteristics, and it may appear only as a small bump. These creatures can reach a maximum length of 90 cm, and their upper bodies and heads are gray, while their lower bodies are yellowish or whitish.
