Dive sites3
Marine life profile
Unicornfish
Recorded at 3 dive sitesWhere divers encounter it
Explore Unicornfish around the world
The Acanthuridae are a family of ray-finned fish which includes surgeonfishes, tangs, and unicornfishes. It follows a daily rhythm of feeding, sheltering and interacting with rivals, partners or a larger school.
Countries3
Animal groupReef Fish
Safety profileGenerally Harmless
Meet the species
What to look for
How to Recognize It
Use body shape, fin outline, color pattern and swimming style to separate it from the surrounding reef community.
How It Behaves
It follows a daily rhythm of feeding, sheltering and interacting with rivals, partners or a larger school.
Special Ability
Precise fins and a body shaped for its niche let it turn, hover or accelerate exactly where food and shelter demand.
Dive responsibly
Share the water well
How to Approach
Move slowly at the same depth, avoid swimming directly at it and let the fish resume its normal behavior.
Safety
Usually safe to observe at a respectful distance. Never feed, corner or touch a fish, especially near nests or cleaning stations.
Worth knowing
The detail you remember
Interesting Facts
The family includes about 86 extant species of marine fishes living in tropical seas, usually around coral reefs.
Where to Find
Look around coral structure, rocky reef, wrecks and current lines where shelter and food meet.
Known countries
IndiaEgyptIndonesia
Sightings map
Unicornfish locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
Tribe Gate
India
Tribe Gate is a small submerged seamount surrounded on all sides by sand. Special residents that we are always on a look out for include the scribbled filefish, yellowtail barracuda, striped surgeonfish, Beaufort’s crocodile flathead, unicornfish, banded sea kraits.
El Fanadir North
Egypt
El Fanadir is a reef stretching for 3 kilometers and is around 4 kilometers away from shore and has to be done by boat. The reef has a wall on the north East sides, full of corals and fish. There is a sand bottom between the wall and the drop off where you will find patches of corals. The drop off is paralel to the wall and starts at 18 meters going to 30+. Also there is a shallow sandy lagoon on the south east side of the reef, perfect for beginners.
Gili Tepekong
Indonesia
Tepekong is the next rock formation after Mimpang offering great diving in the Amuk Bay area. There are different areas that make up this site from the steep walls to the Canyon, and all are prone to currents and unpredictable conditions. For experienced divers, this site offers a lot in the way of moray eels, rays and other pelagics in addition to its spectacular scenery. The east side of Tepekong is a steep wall starting at around 14m and plummeting to approximately 40m. The site starts with a reef slope which can either be followed around to the left or you can head to the wall on the right. Both areas provide a great opportunity to spot schools of sweetlips of many varieties, butterflyfish, scorpionfish, parrotfish and angelfish. In addition you may catch a glimpse of a turtle, barracuda or tuna. The south west end of Tepekong is home to a beautiful and awe-inspiring canyon, conveniently referred to as ‘The Canyon’. The black stone walls provide a dramatic backdrop to the schools of sweetlips, Bumphead parrotfish, batfish, unicornfish and much more. There are also occasional sightings of sharks, Mola-Mola and tuna.