Acanthurus sohal

(Forsskal, 1775)

Vernacular names
English : Sohal surgeonfish
French : Poisson chirurgien zébré

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

Identification
Adults can reach 40 cm in length.. Unmistakable. Most of flanks with very thin black and whitish stripes. Black dorsal and anal fins, yellow pectoral fin. Crescent-shaped tail fin with very long appendages and blue edges. Orange spine.

Range and habitat
The species occurs only in the western Indian Ocean, around the Red Sea and the Persian gulf. Lives in seaward reefs, in areas exposed to surge, down to 20 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is the commonest of its family within its range. It is exploited as a food fish and for aquarium trade. Trading levels should be monitored.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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