Acanthurus nigricauda

(Duncker & Mohr, 1929)

Vernacular names
English : Epaulette surgeonfish
French : Poisson chirurgien à virgule noire

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

Identification
Adults can grow to 40 cm in length. The species has a round forehead. Coloration beige-grey to brown. Dorsal fin has a yellow tinge, caudal fin lunate with blue edge, white ring. Elongated black spot behind gill coverts and before tail spine.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from East Africa and Mascarene islands to Tuamoto, north to South Japan, south to Great Barrier Reef. Lives in clear lagoons and seaward reefs, on sandy bottoms, to 30 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species remains locally common in its huge range despite locally heavy collection for the trade and as a food fish, although it is poisonous to eat.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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