Lined Surgeonfish
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Genus/species: Acanthurus lineatus
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Compressed and disc-like body with a large venomous, scalpel-like caudal spine on each side of the caudal peduncle. Body is yellowish-green, with bright blue stripes edged with black most pronounced on the flank. The stripes on the belly are lavender blue to bluish-white on the belly. The pelvic fins are bright orange.
Length to 38 cm (15 in).
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT Indo-Pacific from East Africa north to southern Japan and south to New South Wales, Australia found on exposed outer reef areas at depths of 3-9 ft.
DIET IN THE WILD: Herbivorous, browses on algae but also feeds on crustaceans.
REPRODUCTION: Large males patrol defined feeding areas and maintain harems of females. Migrates to and spawns in aggregations at specific sites, although they sometimes spawn in pairs. Spawning occurs year-round at lower latitudes but may be seasonal at higher latitudes. The eggs and larvae are pelagic.
MORTALITY: It is estimated that this species can live 30 to 45 years.
CONSERVATION IUCN Red List Least Concern
REMARKS: 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-1b7
fishbase www.fishbase.org/country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code...
IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/177993/0
EOL eol.org/pages/208629/details
Australia Museum australianmuseum.net.au/Striped-Surgeonfish-Acanthurus-li...
Ron's flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3142856255/in/album-721...
2-15-13, 3-1-16
Lined Surgeonfish
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Genus/species: Acanthurus lineatus
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Compressed and disc-like body with a large venomous, scalpel-like caudal spine on each side of the caudal peduncle. Body is yellowish-green, with bright blue stripes edged with black most pronounced on the flank. The stripes on the belly are lavender blue to bluish-white on the belly. The pelvic fins are bright orange.
Length to 38 cm (15 in).
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT Indo-Pacific from East Africa north to southern Japan and south to New South Wales, Australia found on exposed outer reef areas at depths of 3-9 ft.
DIET IN THE WILD: Herbivorous, browses on algae but also feeds on crustaceans.
REPRODUCTION: Large males patrol defined feeding areas and maintain harems of females. Migrates to and spawns in aggregations at specific sites, although they sometimes spawn in pairs. Spawning occurs year-round at lower latitudes but may be seasonal at higher latitudes. The eggs and larvae are pelagic.
MORTALITY: It is estimated that this species can live 30 to 45 years.
CONSERVATION IUCN Red List Least Concern
REMARKS: 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-1b7
fishbase www.fishbase.org/country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code...
IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/177993/0
EOL eol.org/pages/208629/details
Australia Museum australianmuseum.net.au/Striped-Surgeonfish-Acanthurus-li...
Ron's flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3142856255/in/album-721...
2-15-13, 3-1-16