Two Eye-stripe Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricauda) and a Lined Surgeonfish swimming on a coral reef in the Maldives
canthurus nigricauda is a tropical fish with the common name epaulette surgeonfish. The Epaulette Surgeonfish, also known as the Eye-Stripe Surgeonfish or Epaniette Tang is generally found schooling in small groups along reefs or in clear-water lagoons. It has a bluish-greyish body with black bands extending back behind each eye and forward from the stark-white ringtail. The Epaulette Surgeonfish is known to quickly change coloration from light to dark during courtship, aggression, or to indicate it is receptive to nearby cleaners. Acanthurus lineatus, the lined surgeonfish, is also a member of the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes. Other common names include blue banded surgeonfish, blue-lined surgeonfish, clown surgeonfish, striped surgeonfish, and zebra surgeonfish This species reaches about 38 centimeters in length. Much of the body has black-edged blue and yellow stripes, and the top of the head is striped with yellow. The belly is grayish. The pectoral fins have darkened rays and the pelvic fins are yellow-brown with black margins. Individuals from around the Philippines vary in sharp, forward-pointing spines on the caudal peduncle are venomous. The fish is associated with reefs, living in marine waters just a few meters deep. This species occurs in the Indian Ocean from East Africa to the western Pacific Ocean to the Great Barrier Reef, Japan, and many Pacific Islands. The fish is territorial, with a large male defending a feeding territory and a harem of females. The adults may also school, and they gather en masse during spawning. The juvenile is solitary. The fish is mostly herbivorous, but might eat crustaceans at times Most of its diet is algae, on which it grazes during the day.
Size: 3648px × 2736px
Location: Cocoa Island Makunufushi South Malé Atoll Republic of Maldives
Photo credit: © Niall Ferguson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: acanthurus, coral, eye-stripe, fish, indian, lineatus, lined, maldives, marine, nigricauda, ocean, reef, snorkel, surgeonfish, tropical, underwater, wildlife
