Lined surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus)

Scientific name: Acanthurus lineatus Linnaeus, 1758

The Lined surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–30°C (75–86°F).

Lined surgeonfish care at a glance

Temperature: 24–30°C (75–86°F)

Biology

A territorial species which is common in surge zones of exposed seaward reefs. The large male controls well-defined feeding territories and harems of females. Benthopelagic. Adult usually forms schools and commonly found in shallow gutters. Juvenile solitary and secretive on shallow rubble habitats. The species is almost continually in motion. Herbivorous but also feeds on crustaceans. The venomous caudal spine can cause painful wounds. Forms spawning aggregations.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Acanthurus lineatus
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 38.0
Common length: 25.0
Depth range: 0–15 m (0–49 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 15 m, usually 1 - 3 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa, including the Mascarene Islands to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. Replaced by the closely related Acanthurus sohal in the Red Sea.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Venomous
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=4)