Scientific Name
Acanthurus coeruleus

Common Name
Blue tang surgeonfish

Biology
Inhabits coral reefs, inshore grassy or rocky areas. Forms small groups (Ref. 26235). Mainly diurnal. Feeds entirely on algae (Ref. 5521). At Fernando de Noronha Archipelago in southwestern Atlantic, juveniles hold cleaning stations together with the doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus) and sergeant major (Abudefduf saxatilis) and graze algae as well as pick molted skin and parasites from green turtles (Chelonia mydas). This behavior is preceded by a characteristic inspection usually followed by feeding nips on the turtles? skin (head, limbs, and tail), as well as on the carapace. The most inspected and cleaned body parts are the flippers (Ref. 51385). The spine on both sides of the caudal peduncle may inflict painful wounds (Ref. 5217). Marketed fresh.

Classification

Classified By

Bloch & Schneider, 1801

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: New York, USA and Bermuda to the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Ascension Island (Ref. 7345).

Range

42°N - 15°S, 100°W - 4°W

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

24 °C

Water Temperature To

26 °C

Depth From - meters

2 m

Depth To - meters

40 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 40 m (Ref. 7345), usually 2 - 18 m (Ref. 27115)

Trophic Level

2.01 s.e. 0.03 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

39.0 cm

Common Length

25.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; bait: occasionally

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (59 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.11-0.50)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 4690)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated