Yellow-finned Surgeonfish (Acanthurus xanthopterus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Acanthurus xanthopterus
- Common name
- Yellow-finned Surgeonfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Genus
- Acanthurus
- Size
- 50–72 cm
- Depth
- 5–60 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, sandy-bottom
- Behaviours
- benthic, schooling
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Acanthurus xanthopterus reaches 72 cm. Large gray surgeonfish with electric yellow dorsal, anal, pectoral fins. Impressive schools (50+ individuals). Aggressive herbivore, competing for feeding space. Indo-Pacific tropical coral reefs, 5-60 m depth. Spectacular to observe in groups. LC (IUCN).
Photo of Yellow-finned Surgeonfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Yellow-finned Surgeonfish?
- Yellow-finned Surgeonfish (Acanthurus xanthopterus) reaches 50–72 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Yellow-finned Surgeonfish?
- Yellow-finned Surgeonfish is found between 5–60 m deep.
- Is the Yellow-finned Surgeonfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Yellow-finned Surgeonfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Yellow-finned 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 219634)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5209252)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia