Teleostei (teleosts) >
Acanthuriformes (Surgeonfishes) >
Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes) > Acanthurinae
Etymology: Acanthurus: Greek, akantha = thorn + Greek, oura = tail (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Fowler & Bean.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 90 m (Ref. 9710), usually 5 - 40 m (Ref. 27115). Tropical; 24°C - 28°C (Ref. 27115)
Indo-West Pacific: Indonesia, Society Islands and New Caledonia (Ref. 3145). Reported from the Austral Islands, Pitcairn, Philippines, and the Marianas (Ref. 9710). One specimen from the Mozambique Channel (identification is provisional).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 26.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3145)
Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25 - 27; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 23 - 24. head and anterior body blue-grey with numerous close-set small brownish yellow to dark brown spots, becoming longitudinal lines on rest of body (Ref 9808).
A rare species that occurs in steep, current-swept drop-offs (Ref. 9710, 48637). Usually seen well off the bottom (Ref. 1920). Solitary or in small groups (Ref. 90102). Planktivore (Ref. 37816). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Randall, J.E., 1956. A revision of the surgeonfish genus Acanthurus. Pac. Sci. 10(2):159-235. (Ref. 1920)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 24.6 - 28.9, mean 27.5 °C (based on 492 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.02344 (0.01118 - 0.04914), b=2.95 (2.78 - 3.12), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.45 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (16 of 100).
Nutrients (Ref.
124155): Calcium = 58.8 [25.7, 186.3] mg/100g; Iron = 0.816 [0.306, 2.042] mg/100g; Protein = 18.5 [17.3, 19.6] %; Omega3 = 0.133 [0.059, 0.293] g/100g; Selenium = 18 [6, 54] μg/100g; VitaminA = 83.6 [24.8, 274.4] μg/100g; Zinc = 2.02 [0.64, 3.72] mg/100g (wet weight);