Vlaming's unicornfish

Vlaming's unicornfish is a large surgeonfish of the family Acanthuridae, widespread across the Indo-Pacific. Unlike some relatives it lacks a prominent horn, instead having a bulging forehead, and displays a bluish body with intricate lines and dots plus vivid blue markings on the face and fins that intensify during display. It is primarily a planktivore as an adult, feeding on gelatinous zooplankton and algae in open water above the reef, and can shift color rapidly. It carries scalpel-like spines at the tail base for defense. Because it grows very large and swims powerfully, it needs a very large aquarium with abundant open swimming space and strong flow. It accepts a mixed diet of dried algae, meaty frozen foods, and prepared items. It is generally peaceful toward other fish but its size and spines demand careful handling and spacious housing, making it suitable only for large systems.