| Family: |
Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Acanthurinae |
| Max. size: |
40 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 60 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa, including the Mascarene Islands (Ref. 37792) to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe and Rapa islands. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 4-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-25; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 19-21. Dark brown (body in life with fine pale blue-green longitudinal lines following scale rows, becoming dots anteriorly on body and on head) (Ref 9808). Small juveniles have yellowish bars and more prominent yellow specks than adults.
Description: Characterized further by having white caudal spine; caudal peduncle with retractable spine present on each side; presence of brush-like, blackish patch of bristles immediately in front of caudal spine; greatest depth of body 1.4(juveniles)-1.8 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs. Graze on algae, usually in groups of 20 individuals (Ref. 5503, 48637). Adults usually in small groups and sometimes schooling. Juveniles solitary and usually among corals (Ref. 48637). Its numerous, small pharyngeal teeth may have evolved in response to a shift in diet from macroalgae to filamentous algae (Ref. 33204). Form resident spawning aggregations (Ref. 27825). Monogamous (Ref. 52884). Group and pair spawning have been observed. The flesh is never poisonous (Ref. 4795). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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