The Acanthurus pyroferus, or mimic surgeonfish, is a species that shows distinct differences between juveniles and adults. Juveniles are bright yellow with blue highlights, mimicking angelfish, while adults are typically dark brown to purplish-black with a yellowish-tan front. Both have an orange patch at the gill opening, a distinctive defense spine on the tail, and reach up to 29 cm in length.
Juvenile appearance
Body: Oval-shaped and bright yellow.
Highlights: Blue highlights around the eyes and gill covers.
Mimicry: They mimic species like the Lemonpeel Angelfish (Centropyge flavissimus).
Adult appearance
Body: Disk-shaped and can range from yellowish-tan to purplish-black.
Coloration: Often a chocolate brown with a grayish head.
Highlights: Red-orange highlights around the eyes and pectoral fins.
Gill opening: A distinct orange patch is present at the gill opening.
Caudal fin: Has a white posterior margin.
Other characteristics
Size: Adults can reach up to 29 cm (11 inches) in length.
Fins: The dorsal fin has 8 spines and 27-30 soft rays; the anal fin has 3 spines and 24-28 soft rays.
Tail spine: Like other surgeonfish, they have a pair of sharp, depressible spines on either side of their tail base for defense.
Habitat: Found in the Indo-Pacific region, inhabiting mixed coral, rock, and sand areas of reefs.
Diet: They are herbivores that primarily feed on algae.
The Acanthurus japonicus, or Powder Brown Tang, is an Indo-West Pacific surgeonfish with a laterally compressed, oval body that can reach up to 21 cm in length. Its coloration varies based on its mood, from brown to blue to yellow, but it is distinguished by a prominent white band between the mouth and eye, a bright orange stripe on the dorsal fin, and a yellow band on the caudal peduncle. It is a herbivorous, territorial fish that typically lives in small to large aggregations in reef environments.
Physical description
Body shape: Oval and laterally compressed.
Size: Can grow up to 21 cm (8.3 in) in length.
Coloration:
The body color can range from brown to blue to yellow, depending on the fish's emotional state.
A wide, white band runs from the lower part of the eye to the upper lip.
A bright orange or pink band is present along the soft-rayed part of the dorsal fin.
The caudal peduncle is black with a yellow base.
Fins:
Dorsal fin: Has 9 spines and 28–31 soft rays.
Anal fin: Has 3 spines and 26–29 soft rays.
Caudal fin: Is truncate.
Pectoral fins: Have yellow bases.
Habitat and behavior
Habitat: Lives in clear lagoon and seaward reefs in the Indo-West Pacific, typically in shallow, exposed areas.
Diet: Herbivorous, feeding on algae and seaweed.
Social behavior: Can be found alone or in small to large aggregations. They are territorial and can be aggressive towards other fish, especially other tangs or conspecifics, which can lead to fights.
The Yellow Belly Blue Tang, scientifically known as Paracanthurus hepatus, is a color variant of the popular Blue Tang, notable for its striking blue body and a yellow belly and tail. This variant also features a distinctive black marking on its upper body that forms a sort of "palette" design.
Key characteristics of the Yellow Belly Blue Tang:
Coloration: A vibrant blue body with a bright yellow tail and belly.
Markings: A black marking, shaped like a horizontal bar, extends from the back of the head, loops around the gills, and then extends back to the base of the tail.
Size: Can grow up to 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) in length.
Temperament: Generally peaceful but can become territorial and aggressive towards other tangs, especially when they mature.
Reef Compatibility: Reef safe, meaning they don't typically harm corals or other invertebrates.
Diet: Herbivorous, primarily consuming algae and marine plants.
Habitat: Found in coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region.
Additional details:
The yellow coloration on the belly and tail is most prominent in adults, though even small juveniles may show some yellowing.
They are known for their active swimming and need a spacious aquarium with plenty of swimming room.
They are susceptible to certain diseases, particularly Ich, so maintaining good water quality and a healthy diet is crucial.
Their sharp tail spine (scalpel) is used for defense and can inflict a painful wound.
They require a varied diet, including algae-based foods, to maintain their health and reduce aggression.
Acanthurus olivaceus, the orange-band surgeonfish, the orange-shoulder surgeonfish or the orangebar tang,is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, this family includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. It lives in the tropical waters of the Indo-west Pacific.
Taxonomy
Acanthurus olivaceus was first formally described in 1801 by the German naturalists Marcus Elieser Bloch and Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider with its type locality given as Tahiti in the Society Islands,This species is closely related to the range restricted Marquesas surgeonfish (A. reversus), and together these taxa form a species complex within the genus Acanthurus.The genus Acanthurus is one of two genera in the tribe Acanthurini which is one of three tribes in the subfamily Acanthurinae which is one of two subfamilies in the family Acanthuridae.
Description
The orange band surgeonfish is a deep-bodied, laterally-compressed oval fish, rather over twice as long as it is deep, with a maximum length of 35 cm (14 in), although a more typical length is 25 cm (10 in). Both dorsal and anal fins are long and low, extending as far as the caudal peduncle. The dorsal fin has nine spines and 23 to 25 soft rays while the anal fin has three spines and 22 to 24 soft rays. The tail fin is crescent-shaped, the points growing longer as the fish gets older. The adult fish is greyish-brown; a sharp vertical line usually separates the paler front half of the fish from the darker hind portion. There is a distinctive orange bar, surrounded by a purplish-black margin, immediately behind the top of the gill cover, and blue and orange lines at the bases of the fins. Like all surgeonfish, this species has a pair of scalpel-like scales that project upward from the caudal peduncle. Larger males develop a convex snout which clearly differentiates them from females. Juvenile fish are yellow.
Distribution and habitat
This fish is found in the tropical eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from Christmas Island and the Cocos Keeling Islands to southern Japan, Western, Northern and Eastern Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Hawaii. It is associated with reefs, often on outer slopes and in more exposed locations. As an adult, it is a solitary fish or sometimes joins schools, with a depth range of between about 9 and 46 m (30 and 150 ft), but juveniles are found in shallower water in sheltered locations in small groups.
Ecology
The orange band surgeonfish feeds on detritus and on algae growing on the seabed, as well as the film of diatoms and filamentous algae that grows on sand and other substrates.[2] It often forms schools with parrotfish, tangs and other species of surgeonfish, which all have similar diets; their grazing is important in maintaining biodiversity by keeping rocks free from excessive growth of algae so that coral larvae can find suitable habitat to settle. The fish can change colour from dark to pale almost instantaneously.
Status
The orange band surgeonfish has a wide distribution in the tropical Indo-Pacific region and is moderately common. It is sometimes found in fish markets and in the aquarium trade but is not a species targeted by fisheries. No particular threats have been recognised.
The elegant unicornfish, Naso elegans, is a marine fish known for its distinctive coloration and markings. It has a dark snout, a yellow bar above the eyes, and a yellow dorsal fin with a narrow blue margin and a black submarginal band. The anal and pelvic fins are dark brown, while the caudal fin is yellowish with black upper and lower margins and a black submarginal band. It is also known by other names, including the Blonde Naso Tang and the Lipstick Surgeonfish.
Here's a more detailed description:
Body Shape:
It has an oval-shaped, laterally flattened body.
Coloration:
The overall color is greyish, with a dark snout separated from the grey head by a yellow bar at the eyes.
Fins:
The dorsal fin is yellow with a narrow blue edge and a black submarginal band. The anal and pelvic fins are dark brown. The caudal fin is yellowish with black upper and lower margins and a black submarginal band, and can have long trailing filaments in males.
Caudal Peduncle:
The caudal peduncle (the area connecting the body to the tail) has large keels, especially in males, and the males also have longer filaments growing from the caudal fin.
Size:
It can reach a maximum total length of 45 cm, but more typically around 35 cm.
Other features:
It lacks the prominent horn or protuberance on the forehead that is characteristic of some other Naso species.
The Acanthurus maculiceps, also known as the white-freckled surgeonfish or spotted-face surgeonfish, is a marine fish species found in the Indo-West Pacific region. It is characterized by pale spots on its head and fine lines on its body, a yellow patch below the mouth, and a dark-edged pale tail spine. Adults can grow up to 40 cm in length.
Physical Characteristics:
Body Shape:
It has a deep, compressed body, oval in shape, with a convex head profile in adults.
Coloration:
The fish's base color can range from light yellow to dark brown, with pale spots on the head and fine lines along the body. There's a yellow patch below the mouth, a dark blotch behind the eye, and a yellowish band at the base of the tail.
Caudal Spine:
The caudal spine on the tail is dark-edged and pale, often with a yellowish band on the caudal peduncle.
Pectoral Fins:
The pectoral fins have yellow tips.
Caudal Fin:
Juveniles have a truncate caudal fin, which becomes lunate with filamentous lobes in older specimens.
Other Features:
Habitat: Acanthurus maculiceps is found on outer reefs, usually in solitary or small groups.
Size: It can grow up to 40 cm in length.
Temperature Range: The preferred sea temperature range is 25.3-31°C.
Depth Range: It's typically found at depths between 1 and 15 meters.
Diet: This species is an herbivore, feeding on algae and other plant matter.
Acanthurus pyroferus, also known as the chocolate surgeonfish or mimic surgeonfish, is a species of surgeonfish. Adults are typically dark brown or purplish-black with a yellowish tan anterior. They have a distinct orange patch at the gill opening and a prominent yellow band on the posterior margin of their caudal fin. Juveniles exhibit different color patterns that mimic other fish species like lemonpeel angelfish.
Key features of Acanthurus pyroferus:
Size: They can grow up to 29 cm (11 inches) in length.
Coloration: Adults are usually dark brown to purplish-black, sometimes with a yellowish tan anterior. They have an orange patch at the gill opening and a yellow band on their tail.
Fins: The dorsal fin has 8 spines and 27-30 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 24-28 soft rays. The tail fin edge is lunate in adults and round in juveniles.
Tail Spine: A single, depressible spine on the side of the tail base, which is part of their defense mechanism.
Diet: They are herbivores and primarily graze on algae.
Habitat: Found in reef environments, including the Indo-Pacific region, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean
The Zebrasoma veliferum, also known as the Sailfin Tang, is a distinctive marine fish easily recognized by its high dorsal and anal fins, which give it a "sail-like" appearance. It is a species in the Acanthuridae family, also known as the surgeonfishes. The Sailfin Tang is characterized by vertical stripes, dark greyish to brown dorsal and anal fins with pale bands, and a greyish-brown to yellow caudal fin.
Key Features:
High Fins: The dorsal and anal fins are significantly larger than those of other tangs, making the fish appear tall even when compared to its body length.
Striped Appearance: Adults have broad dark bands on a whitish background with thin yellow lines running through the banding.
Coloration: The head is white with a black bar through the eye and yellow dots and lines. The tail is yellow with a blue-white margin.
Size: The Sailfin Tang can reach a maximum length of 40 cm (15.5 inches).
Habitat: It lives in association with coral reefs.
Distribution: The Sailfin Tang is found throughout the Indo-West Pacific region, including Australia.
Diet: It is primarily herbivorous, feeding on filamentous algae.
Juveniles:
Juveniles are smaller and have alternating yellow and black bars.
They may be mistaken for small angelfish due to their similar dorsal and anal fins.
Acanthurus olivaceus, the orange-band surgeonfish, the orange-shoulder surgeonfish or the orangebar tang,is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, this family includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. It lives in the tropical waters of the Indo-west Pacific.
Taxonomy
Acanthurus olivaceus was first formally described in 1801 by the German naturalists Marcus Elieser Bloch and Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider with its type locality given as Tahiti in the Society Islands,This species is closely related to the range restricted Marquesas surgeonfish (A. reversus), and together these taxa form a species complex within the genus Acanthurus.The genus Acanthurus is one of two genera in the tribe Acanthurini which is one of three tribes in the subfamily Acanthurinae which is one of two subfamilies in the family Acanthuridae.
Description
The orange band surgeonfish is a deep-bodied, laterally-compressed oval fish, rather over twice as long as it is deep, with a maximum length of 35 cm (14 in), although a more typical length is 25 cm (10 in). Both dorsal and anal fins are long and low, extending as far as the caudal peduncle. The dorsal fin has nine spines and 23 to 25 soft rays while the anal fin has three spines and 22 to 24 soft rays. The tail fin is crescent-shaped, the points growing longer as the fish gets older. The adult fish is greyish-brown; a sharp vertical line usually separates the paler front half of the fish from the darker hind portion. There is a distinctive orange bar, surrounded by a purplish-black margin, immediately behind the top of the gill cover, and blue and orange lines at the bases of the fins. Like all surgeonfish, this species has a pair of scalpel-like scales that project upward from the caudal peduncle. Larger males develop a convex snout which clearly differentiates them from females. Juvenile fish are yellow.
Distribution and habitat
This fish is found in the tropical eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from Christmas Island and the Cocos Keeling Islands to southern Japan, Western, Northern and Eastern Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Hawaii. It is associated with reefs, often on outer slopes and in more exposed locations. As an adult, it is a solitary fish or sometimes joins schools, with a depth range of between about 9 and 46 m (30 and 150 ft), but juveniles are found in shallower water in sheltered locations in small groups.
Ecology
The orange band surgeonfish feeds on detritus and on algae growing on the seabed, as well as the film of diatoms and filamentous algae that grows on sand and other substrates.[2] It often forms schools with parrotfish, tangs and other species of surgeonfish, which all have similar diets; their grazing is important in maintaining biodiversity by keeping rocks free from excessive growth of algae so that coral larvae can find suitable habitat to settle. The fish can change colour from dark to pale almost instantaneously.
Status
The orange band surgeonfish has a wide distribution in the tropical Indo-Pacific region and is moderately common. It is sometimes found in fish markets and in the aquarium trade but is not a species targeted by fisheries. No particular threats have been recognised, so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed its conservation status as being of least concern.
Naso elegans, the elegant unicornfish, the blonde naso tang, Indian orange-spine unicorn, lipstick surgeonfish, lipstick tang, orangespine unicornfish or smoothheaded unicornfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is found in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.
Taxonomy
Naso elegans was first formally described as Aspisurus elegans in 1829 by the German zoologist and explorer Eduard Rüppell with its type locality given as the northern Red Sea. This species is classified within the nominate subgenus of the genus Naso.[The genus Naso is the only genus in the subfamily Nasinae in the family Acanthuridae. For a long time this species was regarded as an Indian Ocean colour morph of the orangespine unicornfish (Naso lituratus) until it was shown that there were consistent meristic differences.
Etymology
The specific epithet elegans is Latin for "choice", "fine" or "select", a reference to the beautiful colours of this fish.
Distribution and habitat
Naso elegans is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It occurs in the Red Sea south along the east African coast to Durban in South Africa and eastward across the Indian Ocean into the Pacific where it reaches as far east as Bali in Indonesia. It is absent from the waters off the mainland Indian subcontinent.[1] In Australian waters it has been recorded from Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The elegant unicornfish occurs in reef flats in coastal and inshore waters in small schools while in more oceanic waters it forms larger schools,
Description
Naso elegans has 6 spines and between 26 and 30 soft rays, typically 28, supporting the dorsal fin while the anal fin is supported by 2 spines and between 27 and 30 soft rays, typically 29. The pectoral fin contains 16, or more usually, 17 fin rays. There are between 30 and 35 teeth in each jaw and, in adults, these are similar to incisors and have rounded edges. The body has a depth which is equivalent to roughly a quarter of the standard length and it grows more elongate as the fish grows.The keels on the caudal peduncle are larger in males than in females and the males also have longer filaments growing from the caudal fin. The overall colour is grey, with a dark snout separated from the grey head by a yellow bar at the eyes. The dorsal fin is yellow with a thin blue edge and a black band inside that. The anal and pelvic fins are dark brown.The plates on the caudal peduncle are vivid orange separated by a patch of white.The caudal fin is yellowish with a black submarginal band and black lower and upper edges. The elegant unicornfish has a maximum total length of 45 cm (18 in), although 35 cm (14 in) is more typical.
Biology
Naso elegans is a herbivore, feeding on benthic algae,[8] particularly brown algae in the genera Sargassum and Dictyota.
Acanthurus triostegus, commonly known as convict tang, manini,convict surgeonfish, convict surgeon, or fiveband surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.
Taxonomy
Acanthurus triostegus was first formally described in 1758 as Chaetodon triostegus by Carl Linnaeus, the description being published in the 10 edition of Systema Naturae with its type locality given as "Indies".The genus Acanthurus is one of two genera in the tribe Acanthurini which is one of three tribes in the subfamily Acanthurinae which is one of two subfamilies in the family Acanthuridae.
Etymology
Acanthurus triostegus was given the specific name triostegus which means "three covers", this may refer to the three branchiostegal membranes.
Description
The convict tang is so called because of its bold black stripes on a yellowish background. It is a laterally-compressed oval-shaped fishwith a maximum length of about 26–27 cm (10–11 in). The head is small with a pointed snout and a terminal mouth with thick lips. It has six black stripes which distinguishes it from the zebra tang (Acanthurus polyzona) which has nine, and has a more restricted range in the Indian Ocean. The first black stripe is oblique and passes through the eye. There are two black spots on the caudal peduncle, and on each side there is a sharp, retractable spine, which is used in offence or defence.
Distribution and habitat
Acanthurus triostegus occurs in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from the East African coast and Madagascar to southwestern Japan, Australia and Central America, including many Pacific island groups. It is found over hard bottoms in lagoons, reef slopes, bays and estuaries. Juveniles are common in tide pools, and larger fish are found at depths down to about 90 m (300 ft).
Biology
Acanthurus triostegus frequently feed in the vicinity of freshwater discharges, grazing filamentous algae off the rocks.Typically these tangs graze on filamentous algae growing on coral or rocky substrates. The adults aggregate in large schools to feed and these overwhelm damselfishes attempting to defend their territories. The males and females gather in aggegations to spawn.
Utilisation
Acanthurus triostegus is targeted as a food fish in many parts of its range and in some areas is commercially targeted. In Hawaii it is fished for by recreational anglers and it is also caught for the aquarium trade.
Ctenochaetus tominiensis, the Tomini surgeonfish, Tomini bristletooth, yellowtip bristletooth or orangetip bristletooth, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This fish is found in the western central Pacific Ocean.
Taxonomy
Ctenochaetus tominiensis was first formally described in 1955 by the American ichthyologist John Ernest Randall with its type locality given as Sadaa Island in the Gulf of Tomini, Sulawesi, Indonesia.The genera Ctenochaetus and Acanthurus make up the tribe Acanthurini which is one of three tribes in the subfamily Acanthurinae which is one of two subfamilies in the family Acanthuridae.
Description
Ctenochaetus tominiensis has its dorsal fin supported by 8 spines and 24 or 25 soft rays while the anal fin is supported by 3 spines and 22 or 23 soft rays. The rear ends of the dorsal and anal fins are, uniquely in the genus Ctenochaetus, angular. The lips have warty margins. In juveniles the caudal fin is forked and in adults it is lunate. The maximum published standard length of this fish is 16 cm (6.3 in).The overall colour of the body is yellowish brown with a white caudal fin and broad yellow margins to the dorsal and anal fins.
Distribution and habitat
Ctenochaetus tominiensis is found in the western central Pacific Ocean from Malaysia and Indonesia east through East Timor, the Philippines, Palau, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Fiji, south to the Great Barrier Reef. It has been recorded from Tonga.This species is found solitarily or in small aggregations on steep drop offs with dense coral growth in inshorse, sheltered waters at depths between 0 and 45 m (0 and 148 ft).
