Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes) > Acanthurinae
Etymology: Acanthurus: Greek, akantha = thorn + Greek, oura = tail (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 90 m (Ref. 9710), usually 5 - 40 m (Ref. 27115). Tropical; 24°C - 28°C (Ref. 27115), preferred ?
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).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 26.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3145)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 6 - 7;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 25-27;
Anal
spines: 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).
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.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Randall, J.E., 1956. A revision of the surgeonfish genus Acanthurus. Pac. Sci. 10(2):159-235. (Ref. 1920)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquarium: commercial
More information
Common namesSynonymsMetabolismPredatorsEcotoxicologyReproductionMaturitySpawningFecundityEggsEgg development
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsAllele frequenciesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingMass conversion
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