Chocolate surgeonfish (Acanthurus pyroferus)

Scientific name: Acanthurus pyroferus Kittlitz, 1834

The Chocolate surgeonfish (Acanthurus pyroferus) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 26–28°C (79–82°F).

Chocolate surgeonfish care at a glance

Temperature: 26–28°C (79–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-30; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 24 - 28. Purplish black in color; an orange diffused patch at edge of gill opening, just above pectoral fin base; a broad black band from upper end of gill opening to margin of gill cover down to isthmus; caudal spine socket with a narrow black margin. Blackish lips; a trace of orange behind eye; a white line under chin extending slightly above rictus. Gill rakers on anterior row 23-26; on posterior row 25-27. Juveniles can exhibit 3 different color patterns mimicking Centropyge species. Caudal fin rounded in juveniles.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Acanthurus pyroferus
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 25.0
Depth range: 4–60 m (13–197 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 4 - 60 m, usually 5 - 40 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Seychelles to the Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. Replaced by Acanthurus trisits from the Maldives and Chagos Islands to Bali.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.422; Tmax=28)