| Family: |
Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Nasinae |
| Max. size: |
45 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 30 m |
| Distribution: |
Indian Ocean: Red Sea south to Durban, South Africa and east through the islands of the western Indian Ocean to southwestern Indonesia, at least to Bali. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 6-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-30; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 27-30. Dorsal fin yellow with a blue line at base and a black band above this; anal and pelvic fins dark brown; dorsal and anal fins with a narrow blue margin and black submarginal line; caudal fin yellowish with black upper and lower margins and a submarginal black band posteriorly (Ref. 37792). Caudal fin emarginate with adult males having trailing filaments from each corner (Ref. 37792).
Description: Characterized further by dark greyish body color with yellow-edged black band down middle of snout; black margins on opercle and preopercle; presence of a pair of large orange spots around caudal peduncle keels; absence of horn or protuberance on forehead; caudal peduncle with pair of bony plates, each with sharp forward projecting keel; greatest depth of body 2.2-2.7 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits coastal and sheltered reef flats in small groups and schools in oceanic locations (Ref. 48637). Also found in rocky bottoms in about 5-30 m (Ref. 90102). Feeds on benthic algae (Ref. 37792). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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