Sixplate sawtail (Prionurus microlepidotus)

Scientific name: Prionurus microlepidotus Lacep?de, 1804

The Sixplate sawtail (Prionurus microlepidotus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 15–20°C (59–68°F). Native range: Western Pacific, eastern Australia, including Lord Howe Island and Japan.

Sixplate sawtail care at a glance

Temperature: 15–20°C (59–68°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 20 - 21. Colour grey-brown with indistinct dark bars on side of body, the 5 to 7 peduncular plates black. Body depth of subadults about 2 times in SL, the body becoming more elongate with age (to as much 3 times in SL in large adults). Adults developing a pronounced protuberance anteriorly on snout (Ref 9808).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Prionurus microlepidotus
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 70.0
Environment: Marine; brackish; reef-associated
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Pacific: eastern Australia, including Lord Howe Island and Japan.
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.)