Palelipped surgeonfish (Acanthurus leucocheilus)

Scientific name: Acanthurus leucocheilus Herre, 1927

The Palelipped surgeonfish (Acanthurus leucocheilus) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–27°C (73–81°F). Native range: Indo-Pacific, Seychelles, Maldives, Andaman Sea, Philippines, Palau, and Line Islands Reported from Indonesia. Line Islands and East Africa.

Palelipped surgeonfish care at a glance

Temperature: 23–27°C (73–81°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-25; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 23. Preserved color blackish brown; black above and behind lips; mouth encircled by a bluish white band; a wide white band across the chest; caudal base with a broad bluish white band; white peduncular spine. Fins black; pectoral with a white band on posterior third.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Acanthurus leucocheilus
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 45.0
Depth range: 3–30 m (10–98 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 30 m, usually 3 - 30 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Seychelles, Maldives, Andaman Sea, Philippines, Palau, and Line Islands Reported from Indonesia. Line Islands and East Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)