Yellowfin surgeonfish (Acanthurus xanthopterus)

Scientific name: Acanthurus xanthopterus Valenciennes, 1835

The Yellowfin surgeonfish (Acanthurus xanthopterus) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F).

Yellowfin surgeonfish care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-27; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 23 - 25. Body purplish gray when alive; grayish brown when preserved; a region of dull yellow in front of eye, a lesser extension posterior to lower part of eye; outer 1/3 of pectoral fin yellow, extreme distal part hyaline; dorsal and anal fins yellowish grey basally, dull yellow distally; caudal fin base whitish; caudal fin purplish. Anterior gill rakers 16-24, posterior 17-22. Caudal spine small.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Acanthurus xanthopterus
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 70.0
Common length: 50.0
Depth range: 1–100 m (3–328 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 100 m, usually 5 - 90 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. Eastern Pacific: lower Gulf of California and Clipperton Island to Panama and the Galapagos Islands.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Venomous
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.287; Tmax=34)