| Family: |
Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Acanthurinae |
| Max. size: |
45 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and off northwestern Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-28; Anal soft rays: 25-26. A large semicircular to subtriangular black mark anteriorly on side of body (open part anterior), the upper end at level of eye above dorsal end of gill opening, the lower end above base of pectoral fins. Head suffused with purplish blue. Caudal fin blackish centrally with a yellow band in each lobe that merges with white band at base, the posterior margin narrowly blue (Ref 9808). |
| Biology: |
A solitary and wary species found in clear seaward reefs and drop-offs (Ref. 9710, 48637). Often grazes algae from surface of sponges (Ref. 90102). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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