| Family: |
Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Acanthurinae |
| Max. size: |
54 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 25 m |
| Distribution: |
Indian Ocean: eastern Africa to the Andaman Sea, southwest Indonesia and Christmas Island; with range extended to Bali, Indonesia in Western Pacific (Ref. 37792). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-30; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 23-26. Blue with a white chest (Ref. 3145). Head black with a broad white band from pectoral-fin base to throat. No distinct white spot or broad white band below eye. Dorsal fin yellow (except white margin and black submarginal line). Anal and pelvic fins white (Ref 9808).
Description: Characterized further by having white band at base of lips; white caudal fin; length of caudal spine 2.5-3.0 in head length; greatest depth of body 1.7-1.9 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits shallow, clear coastal and island coral reefs (Ref. 9710). Usually found on reef flats and along upper seaward slopes (Ref. 9710). May occur singly or in large feeding aggregations. Monogamous (Ref. 52884). Feeds on benthic algae; on small, sparsely scattered algae and small growths in crevices (Ref. 28026). Caught with nets (Ref. 30573). Marketed fresh. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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