Yellowtail surgeonfish (Prionurus punctatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Prionurus punctatus
- Common name
- Yellowtail surgeonfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Genus
- Prionurus
- Size
- 30–50 cm
- Depth
- 2–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- schooling, grazer
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Prionurus punctatus reaches 50 cm. Eastern Pacific surgeonfish (Acanthuridae) with high laterally compressed oval gray-beige body with small black spots on flanks, yellow lunate tail. Unique feature: possesses multiple lateral-caudal scalpels (5-6 per side, vs 1-2 in classic Acanthurus, hence Prionurus). Lives in dense schools from 2 to 50 m on rocky reefs from Gulf of California to Peru. Herbivore grazing algae in group (anti-predator protection). Signature wide-angle photo subject of Sea of Cortez dives for large schools.
Photo of Yellowtail surgeonfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Yellowtail surgeonfish?
- Yellowtail surgeonfish (Prionurus punctatus) reaches 30–50 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Yellowtail surgeonfish?
- Yellowtail surgeonfish is found between 2–50 m deep.
- Is the Yellowtail surgeonfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Yellowtail surgeonfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Yellowtail surgeonfish?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Prionurus
Other species in the family Acanthuridae
- Acanthurus chirurgus - Doctorfish
- Acanthurus tractus - Atlantic blue tang
- Naso lituratus - Orangespine unicornfish
- Naso vlamingii - Vlaming's unicornfish
- Acanthurus pyroferus - Mimic Surgeonfish
- Acanthurus lineatus - Striped Surgeonfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 282349)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5209140)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia