Acanthurus nigricans

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Whitecheek surgeonfish
French : Poisson chirurgien à joues blanches

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

Identification
Adults reach a maximum length of 21.3 cm. Very steep forehead. Coloration is blackish-brown. White ring around protruding lips, white spot under eyes. White tail with large yellow band. Fins black with yellow base and blue edges.

Range and habitat
The species occurs around Cocos Keeling and Christmas islands in the Indian ocean, then from Ryukyu islands to Hawaii, east to Mexico and Galapagos. Lives in clear lagoons and seaward reefs, on rocky and coral bottoms, to 67 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is widespread and locally very common. It occurs in several protected areas. Sometimes collected for the aquarium trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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