Acanthurus maculiceps

(Ahl, 1923)

Vernacular names
English : White-freckled surgeonfish
French : Poisson chirurgien à points blancs

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

Identification
Adults can reach 40 cm in length. Round forehead, coloration usually dark grey with light vermiculations on flanks. White dots all around face. Yellow spots on tip of dorsal, anal and pectoral fins. Dark fins and tail with yellowish tail ring.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Maldives and the Andaman sea to South Japan, Philippines and Line islands, south to Samoa. Lives in clear seaward reefs and outer reef flats, down to 15 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a large range but is considered rare in most parts. It occurs in protected areas and rarely caught for food or aquarium trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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