| Family: |
Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Acanthurinae |
| Max. size: |
26 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 90 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: Indonesia, Society Islands and New Caledonia (Ref. 3145). Reported from the Austral Islands, Pitcairn, Philippines, and the Marianas (Ref. 9710). One specimen from the Mozambique Channel (identification is provisional). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-27; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 23-24. head and anterior body blue-grey with numerous close-set small brownish yellow to dark brown spots, becoming longitudinal lines on rest of body (Ref 9808).
Description: Characterized further by having symmetrical upper and lower head profile; alternating longitudinal lines of pale blue and orange brown on side of body; dark fins (alternating dark and pale lines on dorsal and anal); caudal spine length 2.5-3.0 in head length; greatest depth of body 1.8-2.2 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
A rare species that occurs in steep, current-swept drop-offs (Ref. 9710, 48637). Usually seen well off the bottom (Ref. 1920). Solitary or in small groups (Ref. 90102). Planktivore (Ref. 37816). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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