Teleostei (teleosts) >
Acanthuriformes (Surgeonfishes) >
Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes) > Acanthurinae
Etymology: Acanthurus: Greek, akantha = thorn + Greek, oura = tail (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 20 m (Ref. 48637), usually 5 - 15 m (Ref. 27115). Tropical; 24°C - 28°C (Ref. 27115)
Indo-West Pacific: Sulawesi (Indonesia) to Philippines and Ryukyu Islands.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 23.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 130604)
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28 - 31; Anal soft rays: 26 - 29. A broad white band extending from lower edge of eye to upper lip. A bright orange band in outer part of soft portion of dorsal fin. Caudal peduncle yellow, shading to black a short distance anteriorly. Base of pectoral fins yellow (Ref 9808).
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep.
In clear lagoon and seaward reefs, usually in shallow exposed areas. Found in small to large aggregations (Ref. 48637). Sometimes solitary (Ref. 90102). Feed on algae (Ref. 128523).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994. Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Haper Collins Publishers, 400 p. (Ref. 9710)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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