Whitecheek surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricans)

Scientific name: Acanthurus nigricans Linnaeus, 1758

The Whitecheek surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricans) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 21–29°C (70–84°F).

Whitecheek surgeonfish care at a glance

Temperature: 21–29°C (70–84°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-31; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 26 - 28. A horizontally elongate white blotch directly below eye. No orange band in outer part of dorsal fin. Caudal peduncle black except for yellow edge of socket and sheath of peduncular spine. Base of pectoral fin black (ref 9808).Gill rakers on anterior row:17-19, on posterior row:18-20.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Acanthurus nigricans
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 21.3
Depth range: 1–67 m (3–220 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 67 m, usually 2 - 67 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Eastern Indian Ocean: known only from Cocos-Keeling Islands and Christmas Island. Pacific Ocean: Ryukyu Islands and Great Barrier Reef to the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia (excluding Rapa). This species has crossed the Eastern Pacific Barrier to the Revillagigedo Islands, Cocos Island, Galapagos Islands, and the coast of Mexico.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.28; Tmax=34)