Teleostei (teleosts) >
Acanthuriformes (Surgeonfishes) >
Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes) > Acanthurinae
Etymology: Acanthurus: Greek, akantha = thorn + Greek, oura = tail (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Forsskål.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - ? m (Ref. 27115), usually 0 - 20 m (Ref. 27115). Tropical; 24°C - 30°C (Ref. 27115); 30°N - 2°S, 32°E - 122°E
Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea to the Persian Gulf.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 30573)
A common species found in seaward edges of reefs exposed to surge (Ref. 9710). Aggressive and territorial (Ref. 9710). Feeds on various kinds of algae, mainly Sargassum, and fine filamentous green algae. Caught with nets (Ref. 30573); traps and occasionally by trawls (Ref. 68964).
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 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 24.5 - 29.2, mean 27 °C (based on 236 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): 2.0 ±0.00 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).
Climate Vulnerability (Ref.
125649): Very high vulnerability (86 of 100).
Nutrients (Ref.
124155): Calcium = 50.8 [21.1, 141.8] mg/100g; Iron = 0.699 [0.269, 1.686] mg/100g; Protein = 18.2 [16.8, 19.4] %; Omega3 = 0.1 [0.0, 0.2] g/100g; Selenium = 20 [7, 57] μg/100g; VitaminA = 37.3 [8.5, 152.4] μg/100g; Zinc = 2.64 [0.84, 4.83] mg/100g (wet weight);