Acanthurus chirurgus

(Bloch, 1787)

Vernacular names
English : Doctorfish
French : Poisson chirurgien rayé

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

Identification
The species can grow to 39 cm in length for a weight of 5 kg. Laterally compressed and elongated body. Coloration usually bluish-grey to beige with about a dozen vertical stripes on last two-thirds of body. Tail bluish, dark tail spine.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Massachusetts to Gulf of Mexico, south to South Brazil. Also found near coasts of Senegal. Lives in shallow coral reefs and rocky areas from 2 to 25 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is common to abundant and targeted in many areas by fisheries. Declines are observed when the species is overfished (Jamaica).
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Surgeonfishes and relatives” page