Flagtail Surgeonfish
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, Tangs, and Unicornfishes)
Genus/species: Paracanthurus hepatus
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS : The color of their oval-shaped bodies is sky blue enhanced by reflective pigment cells called iridophores. The tail fin is yellow extending into a "V" shape from the caudal fin to a point just beyond the caudal spine. A black oval extends under dorsal fin to caudal peduncle. Color changes as they mature; juveniles are bright yellow with blue spots near their eyes, and their dorsal and anal fins are tipped in light blue. Their body becomes blue as they mature.
Length up to 31 cm (12 in)
Weigh on average 600 g. (1.3 pounds)
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific in clear, current-swept terraces of seaward reefs, 2–40 m (6-120ft). They are typically found in loose groups 1–3 m (3-9 ft) above substrate sheltering among the branches of Procillopora corals or in crevices of rocks.
DIET IN THE WILD: Zooplankton.
REPRODUCTION: Oviparous, external fertilization. Open water egg scatterers on substrate. Nonguarders.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern
REMARKS: Paracanthurus hepatic like other surgeonfishes has a razor-sharp caudal spine located at the base of their caudal fin. This spine contains toxins that can cause a debilitating pain to small predators and uncomfortable irritation and pain in humans.
Dory, the co-star of Finding Nemo, with the voice of Ellen DeGeneres’ “spaced-out” fish, is a hepatus tang. Most kids now recognize this fish as Dory.
References
California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral reef 2016
Ron's flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608332652056/
Ron's Wordpress shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-Ab
Encyclopedia of Life eol.org/pages/222042/details
Animal Diversity Web: animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Paracanthurus_hep...
fishbase: www.fishbase.org/summary/6017
1-7-13, 1-08-14, 2-19-16
Flagtail Surgeonfish
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, Tangs, and Unicornfishes)
Genus/species: Paracanthurus hepatus
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS : The color of their oval-shaped bodies is sky blue enhanced by reflective pigment cells called iridophores. The tail fin is yellow extending into a "V" shape from the caudal fin to a point just beyond the caudal spine. A black oval extends under dorsal fin to caudal peduncle. Color changes as they mature; juveniles are bright yellow with blue spots near their eyes, and their dorsal and anal fins are tipped in light blue. Their body becomes blue as they mature.
Length up to 31 cm (12 in)
Weigh on average 600 g. (1.3 pounds)
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific in clear, current-swept terraces of seaward reefs, 2–40 m (6-120ft). They are typically found in loose groups 1–3 m (3-9 ft) above substrate sheltering among the branches of Procillopora corals or in crevices of rocks.
DIET IN THE WILD: Zooplankton.
REPRODUCTION: Oviparous, external fertilization. Open water egg scatterers on substrate. Nonguarders.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern
REMARKS: Paracanthurus hepatic like other surgeonfishes has a razor-sharp caudal spine located at the base of their caudal fin. This spine contains toxins that can cause a debilitating pain to small predators and uncomfortable irritation and pain in humans.
Dory, the co-star of Finding Nemo, with the voice of Ellen DeGeneres’ “spaced-out” fish, is a hepatus tang. Most kids now recognize this fish as Dory.
References
California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral reef 2016
Ron's flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608332652056/
Ron's Wordpress shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-Ab
Encyclopedia of Life eol.org/pages/222042/details
Animal Diversity Web: animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Paracanthurus_hep...
fishbase: www.fishbase.org/summary/6017
1-7-13, 1-08-14, 2-19-16