Average Weight/Length
Max length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed
Family, Genus, Class & Etymology
Family |    Acanthuridae |
Description |    Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes |
Environment |    Marine |
Etymology |    Greek, akantha = thorn + oura = tail |
Genus |    6 |
No. of Species |    82 |
Order |    Perciformes |
Class |    Actinopterygii |
Reproductive Guild |    Nonguarders |
Distribution |    Circumtropical, especially around coral reefs; five species in the Atlantic, the remaining in the Pacific and Indian oceans. All have a deep compressed body with the eye high on the head and a long preorbital bone. Single unnotched dorsal fin with 4-9 spines and 19-31 rays; anal fin with 2 (only Naso) or 3 spines and 19-36 rays; pelvic fins with 1 spine and 3 (Naso and Paracanthurus) or 5 rays. Very small ctenoid scales. A small terminal mouth with a single row of close-set teeth. Most surgeon fishes graze on benthic algae and have a long intestine; some feed mainly on zooplankton or detritus. Surgeon fishes are able to slash other fishes with their sharp caudal spines by a rapid side sweep of the tail. Pelagic spawners. Many species have bright colors and are popular aquarium fishes. |
Location Habitat
Inhabits primarily boulder-strewn areas of surge zone and browses on filamentous algae. Benthopelagic. Often in schools.
Biology & Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-27; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 23 - 25. A whitish bar broadly bordered by dark brown from origin of dorsal fin across operculum. Caudal fin without a white posterior margin. Caudal concavity 10.5 to 12 times in SL. Body depth 1.7 to 1.8 times in SL
Geographic Species Map (Fishbase.org Map)
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Summary of Distribution: Western Central Pacific: primarily anti-equatorial; Mariana Islands, southern Japan, Marcus Islands, and the Hawaiian Islands in the north and New Caledonia, Rapa (Austral Islands), and Tuamoto Islands, Pitcairn group, and Easter Island in the south. |
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Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org) |
Picture (Fish)
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