Ctenochaetus marginatus (Valenciennes, 1835)
Striped-fin surgeonfish
Ctenochaetus marginatus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Acanthurinae
Max. size:  27 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 410.8 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 18 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: Marshall, Caroline, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Johnston, Marquesas; including Clipperton Atoll, Cocos and Gorgona islands. Society and Line Islands (Ref. 37792).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-29; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 24-26. Lower lip papillate posteriorly. Gill rakers on anterior row 26-29, on posterior row 34-37. Has brilliant blue spots covering the head, body, and pectoral fins and blue longitudinal pinstripes on the dorsal, anal and caudal fins (Ref 1602). Anterior dorsal soft rays longer than posterior (Ref 42056).
Biology:  Inhabits shallow seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Small schools may also be found in relatively turbulent waters of the surge zone (Ref. 9267). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on film algae (Ref. 89972).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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