Mimic Surgeonfish (Acanthurus pyroferus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Acanthurus pyroferus
- Common name
- Mimic Surgeonfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Genus
- Acanthurus
- Size
- 27–34 cm
- Depth
- 5–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, schooling
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific
Description
Acanthurus pyroferus reaches 34 cm. Yellow-orange surgeonfish with white stripes, bright red spines at tail base ('fire' name). Highly aggressive and territorial. Fiercely defends territory. Herbivore, rapid grazer. Indo-Pacific tropical coral reefs, 5-50 m depth. Regularly observed, deserves respect. LC (IUCN).
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Mimic Surgeonfish?
- Mimic Surgeonfish (Acanthurus pyroferus) reaches 27–34 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Mimic Surgeonfish?
- Mimic Surgeonfish is found between 5–50 m deep.
- Is the Mimic Surgeonfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Mimic Surgeonfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Mimic Surgeonfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific.
Other species in the genus Acanthurus
- Acanthurus chirurgus - Doctorfish
- Acanthurus tractus - Atlantic blue tang
- Acanthurus lineatus - Striped 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 219648)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5209154)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia