Acanthurus guttatus

(Forster, 1801)

Vernacular names
English : Whitespotted surgeonfish
French : Poisson chirurgien à gouttelettes

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Acanthuriformes (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Acanthuridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Maximum length is 26 cm. Unmistakable. Body ashy grey to dark grey with two vertical white bands on front half of body. Back half shows lots of white spots on the dark parts. Pelvic fins bright yellow, caudal fin with black margin.

Range and habitat
Oceanic islands in Indian Ocean and east to Hawaii and Tuamoto Islands, north to Ryukyu islands and south to New Caledonia. Lives close to coral reefs at depth from 0 to 8 meters, rarely below.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : So far still common around its range. Not targeted by fisheries and capture for wildlife trade is insignificant.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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