Convict surgeonfish

Facts

Scientific name:

Acanthurus triostegus

Biology:

Occur in lagoon and seaward reefs with hard substrate; young abundant in tide pools (Ref. 3145 , 48637 ). Benthopelagic . Often feeding near freshwater run-offs where certain algae grow on rocks that are grazed . Occasionally form schools; feed on filamentous algae in large aggregations. During spawning, clouds of eggs and sperm are preyed upon by eagle rays which are often present during spawning. Form spawning aggregations . Size of metamorphosis from post-larva stage to juvenile is 3.2 cm . Utilized as a food fish . Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 27115.

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

Threat to humans:

Reports of ciguatera poisoning

Photos & Description

License type:

CC-BY-NC-ND

Author:

Rick Winterbottom

Source:

http://eol.org/data_objects/24199706

Source:

http://exoticsfish.blogspot.com/2012/12/convict-tang.html

License type:

CC-BY

Author:

brian.gratwicke

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Convict_Surgeonfish,_Acanthurus_triostegus.jpg

See my photos of this species See photos of this specie from other users

Short description:

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-26; Anal spines : 3; Anal soft rays : 19 - 22. Body olivaceous gray, with 4 vertical stripes (1 stripe on head across the yellow eye; 1 on caudal peduncle); shading to white ventrally, often with a sharp line of demarcation. Sharp, forward-pointing, erectile spine on each side of caudal peduncle which folds down into a groove. Scales minute. Teeth with denticulations on sides and top. Gill rakers 18-22 in anterior row, 19-24 in posterior row.

Size / Weight / Age:

Maturity: L m 7.5 &nbsp range ? - ? cm Max length : 27.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; common length : 17.0 cm TL male/unsexed;