Striped Surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Acanthurus lineatus
- Common name
- Striped Surgeonfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Genus
- Acanthurus
- Size
- 30–38 cm
- Depth
- 5–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, solitary, territorial
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Acanthurus lineatus reaches 38 cm. Yellow-blue striped surgeonfish with very distinctive geometric pattern. Solitary or paired, highly territorial. Defends a specific feeding zone. Herbivore actively grazing on reef slopes. Indo-Pacific tropical coral reefs, 5-50 m depth. Frequently observed but vigilant. LC (IUCN).
Photo of Striped Surgeonfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Striped Surgeonfish?
- Striped Surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus) reaches 30–38 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Striped Surgeonfish?
- Striped Surgeonfish is found between 5–50 m deep.
- Is the Striped Surgeonfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Striped Surgeonfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Striped Surgeonfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Acanthurus
- Acanthurus chirurgus - Doctorfish
- Acanthurus tractus - Atlantic blue tang
- Acanthurus pyroferus - Mimic Surgeonfish
- Acanthurus sohal - Sohal surgeonfish
- Acanthurus leucosternon - Powder Blue Surgeonfish
- Acanthurus japonicus - Japan 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 159582)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5209244)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia