Japan Surgeonfish (Acanthurus japonicus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Acanthurus japonicus
- Common name
- Japan Surgeonfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Genus
- Acanthurus
- Size
- 20–28 cm
- Depth
- 10–80 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, schooling
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Acanthurus japonicus reaches 28 cm. Small gray-blue surgeonfish with variable yellow markings. Deep reef habitat (10-80 m). Less common than A. leucosternon but regularly observed in technical diving. Herbivore, schooling species. Indo-Pacific tropical coral reefs. LC (IUCN).
Photo of Japan Surgeonfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Japan Surgeonfish?
- Japan Surgeonfish (Acanthurus japonicus) reaches 20–28 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Japan Surgeonfish?
- Japan Surgeonfish is found between 10–80 m deep.
- Is the Japan Surgeonfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Japan Surgeonfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Japan Surgeonfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Acanthurus
- Acanthurus chirurgus - Doctorfish
- Acanthurus tractus - Atlantic blue tang
- Acanthurus pyroferus - Mimic Surgeonfish
- Acanthurus lineatus - Striped Surgeonfish
- Acanthurus sohal - Sohal surgeonfish
- Acanthurus leucosternon - Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Other species in the family Acanthuridae
- Prionurus punctatus - Yellowtail surgeonfish
- Naso lituratus - Orangespine unicornfish
- Naso vlamingii - Vlaming's unicornfish
- Prionurus laticlavius - Blackstriped Surgeon
- Zebrasoma xanthurum - Yellowtail tang
- Zebrasoma desjardinii - Sailfin tang
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 272962)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5209165)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia