Blue tang surgeonfish (Acanthurus coeruleus)

Scientific name: Acanthurus coeruleus Bloch & Schneider, 1801

The Blue tang surgeonfish (Acanthurus coeruleus) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–26°C (75–79°F). Native range: Western Atlantic, New York, USA and Bermuda to the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Ascension Island.

Blue tang surgeonfish care at a glance

Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)

Biology

Inhabits coral reefs, inshore grassy or rocky areas. Forms small groups. Mainly diurnal. Feeds entirely on algae. 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. The spine on both sides of the caudal peduncle may inflict painful wounds. Marketed fresh.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Acanthurus coeruleus
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 39.0
Common length: 25.0
Depth range: 2–40 m (7–131 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 40 m, usually 2 - 18 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: New York, USA and Bermuda to the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Ascension Island.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Traumatogenic
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; bait: occasionally
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.11-0.50)