Epaulette surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricauda)

Scientific name: Acanthurus nigricauda Duncker & Mohr, 1929

The Epaulette surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricauda) is a brackish-water fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–28°C (73–82°F).

Epaulette surgeonfish care at a glance

Temperature: 23–28°C (73–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-28; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 23 - 26. Color in life dark brown without lines on body or spots on head (one phase is purplish grey); horizontal black band behind upper gill opening absent on juveniles

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Acanthurus nigricauda
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 40.0
Depth range: 1–30 m (3–98 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m, usually 2 - 15 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa, including the Mascarene Islands to the Tuamoto Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to southern Great Barrier Reef. Not occurring in the Red Sea.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Poisonous to eat
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)