Teleostei (teleosts) > Acanthuriformes (Surgeonfishes) > Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes) > Acanthurinae
Etymology: Acanthurus: Greek, akantha = thorn + Greek, oura = tail (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Forsskål.

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 50 m (Ref. 130603) usually 5 - 40 m (Ref. 27115); 22°C - 28°C (Ref. 130603) preferred ? (Ref. 27115); tropical; 30°N - 10°N32°E - 54°E.

Western Indian Ocean: endemic to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Max length: 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed (Ref. 30573).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24 - 28; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 23 - 26. Characterized by having 2 longitudinal bands on the side, one from the hind margin of the eye posteriorly, another from the groove around the caudal peduncle spine anteriorly. Juveniles of less than 5 cm SL lack the anterior band; less than 10 cm SL lack the posterior band. Reaches 24 cm SL.

Often found in large groups in open areas near coral or rock (Ref. 9710). Caught with nets (Ref. 30573). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 275

Randall, J.E. 1987 Three nomenclatorial changes in Indo-Pacific surgeonfishes (Acanthurinae). Pac. Sci. 41(1-4):54-61. (Ref. 1921)

  Least Concern (LC); date assessed: May 04 2010

Not Evaluated

Not Evaluated

  Harmless

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Preferred temperature (Ref. 123201): 23.8 - 29.1, mean 28.6 °C (based on 42 cells).

Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82804): PD₅₀ = 0.5 [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): 2.8 ±0.3 se; Based on food items.

Resilience (Ref. 120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).

Fishing vulnerability (Ref. 59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (30 of 100).

Price category (Ref. 80766): Medium; Very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family.

Nutrients (Ref. 124155): Calcium = 49.2 [20.3, 132.8] mg/100g; Iron = 0.656 [0.252, 1.578] mg/100g; Protein = 18.5 [17.3, 19.6] %; Omega3 = 0.108 [0.051, 0.227] g/100g; Selenium = 17.6 [6.4, 50.3] μg/100g; VitaminA = 43.6 [12.4, 142.8] μg/100g; Zinc = 2.24 [0.71, 4.02] mg/100g (wet weight);