Whitecheek surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricans) fish species and information / pictures of Whitecheek surgeonfish - Acanthurus nigricans

Whitecheek surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricans) fish species information

Scientific Name
Acanthurus nigricans

Common Name
Whitecheek surgeonfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-31; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 26 - 28. A horizontally elongate white blotch directly below eye. No orange band in outer part of dorsal fin. Caudal peduncle black except for yellow edge of socket and sheath of peduncular spine. Base of pectoral fin black (ref 9808).Gill rakers on anterior row:17-19, on posterior row:18-20.

Classification

Classified By
Linnaeus, 1758
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)

Distribution

Region
Eastern Indian Ocean
Distribution
Eastern Indian Ocean: known only from Cocos-Keeling Islands and Christmas Island. Pacific Ocean: Ryukyu Islands and Great Barrier Reef to the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia (excluding Rapa). This species has crossed the Eastern Pacific Barrier to the Revillagigedo Islands, Cocos Island, Galapagos Islands, and the coast of Mexico.
Range
30°N - 24°S

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
21 °C
Water Temperature To
29 °C
Depth From - meters
1 m
Depth To - meters
67 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 67 m (Ref. 1602), usually 2 - 67 m (Ref. 27115)
Trophic Level
2 s.e. 0.00 Based on food items.
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
21.3 cm
Common Length
Unknown 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: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (34 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.28; Tmax=34)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated