Bluelined Surgeonfish

TAXONOMY

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)

Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)

Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)

 

Genus/species: Acanthurus nigroris

 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Dark brown body with numerous blue stripes in scroll patterns on face and chest, more horizontal on body. Dark peduncular spine and tail. Small but distinctive black spots on rear base of both dorsal and anal fins.

 

Max. size: up to 25 cm (10 inches)

 

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Hawaiian Islands in clear lagoons and outward reefs to 200 ft.

 

DIET IN THE WILD: Filamentous algae, diatoms, fine algal film.

 

REPRODUCTION; Pelagic spawner.

 

CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern.

 

REMARKS: Solitary or form small groups.

 

A distinguishing feature of surgeonfishes, tangs, and

unicornfishes is a modified scale on the caudal peduncle, which forms a scalpel-like sharp blade often covered with toxic slime. These spines are used for species recognition, defense, and competition for mates. Note: Acanthus means “thorn” or “spine”.

 

References

 

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

 

Ron's Wordpress shortlink: wp.me/p1DZ4b-1bk

 

EOL: eol.org/pages/211466/overview

 

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/ACANTHURUS-NIGRORIS.html

 

March 1, 2010, 8-18-12, 1-07-14, 3-2-16

Done