#782: Unicornfish

Unicornfish are a number of Naso species, related to tangs and surgeonfish. He is named for the horn-like appendage between his eyes, which tends to be longer in males. He grazes on algae, shifting to zooplankton if his horn gets too long for him to successfully scrape algae from the substrate. Generally fairly drab in colour, some species will change their colouration in response to stimuli - such as when he is courting a female, or seeking the assistance of cleaner wrasse.

This is a Bluespine Unicornfish.

#632: Rabbitfish

The Rabbitfish are a Genus of brightly coloured Perciformes, named for their small, rabbit-like mouths. Other charming names for members of this Genus are foxfaces and spinefoots. The Rabbitfish's fins are formed from spines, which come equipped with venom glands. These are used to
deter predators, and are painful to humans.  This fellow is a Magnificant Rabbitfish. His diet consists mostly of algae and other vegetation. He can grow up to 24 cm in length and makes his home in the eastern Indian Ocean.

Creature Feature #514: Noisy Pitta

The Noisy Pitta can be found in the tropical rainforests of Australasia and Indonesia. He is a bird of the forest floor, foraging for worms, insects and snails, as well as fruit. He will often make use of stones as anvils, using these to smash the snails against repeatedly, until the shell crack and disgorge the contents.  Despite his bright colouration, he is more often heard than seen with a distinctive three-note call. Nests are dome-shaed structures, constructed on the ground in a concealed location.