Acanthurus xanthopterus

(Valenciennes, 1835)

Vernacular names
English : Yellowfin surgeonfish
French : Poisson chirurgien à nageoires jaunes

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

Identification
The biggest surgeonfish species, reaching up to 70 cm in length. Coloration light greyish with fine vermiculations (not always visible) on upper back. Caudal fin elongated, anal, dorsal and pectoral fins yellow. Yellow mask on face.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from East Africa (but not the Red Sea) to south Japan and north Australia, east to Clipperton and Galapagos islands. Lives in outer reefs, sand slopes, lagoons, down to at least 100 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a huge range and is locally common to abundant. It is targeted by fisheries for food and occasionally caught for the trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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