Teleostei (teleosts) >
Acanthuriformes (Surgeonfishes) >
Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes) > Acanthurinae
Etymology: Ctenochaetus: Greek, kteis, ktenos = comb + Greek, chaite = hair (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Randall.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 61 m (Ref. 58302), usually 5 - 40 m (Ref. 27115). Tropical; 28°N - 26°S
Pacific Ocean: throughout most Oceania, from Micronesia, Wake and Marcus islands to the Hawaiian Islands and Pitcairn Island.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710)
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27 - 29; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 25 - 26. Gill rakers on anterior row 21-25, on posterior row 25. Juveniles differ greatly from adults. They have deeper bodies and are bright orange-red with numerous dark chevrons. Adults appear uniformly black from a distance but actually have numerous dark green horizontal pinstripes.
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep.
An uncommon species that inhabits seaward rocky or coral reefs (Ref. 9710). Juveniles found in relatively deep coral rich areas (Ref. 42056). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on film algae (Ref. 89972). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Randall, J.E and K.D. Clements, 2001. Second revision of the surgeonfish genus Ctenochaetus (Perciformes: Acanthuridae), with descriptions of two new species. Indo-Pac. Fish. (32):33 p. (Ref. 42056)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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