TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Superclass: Osteichthyes
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, Tangs, and Unicornfishes)
Genus/species; Acanthurus leucosternon
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Blue with a white chest. Head black with a broad white band from pectoral-fin base to throat.Also has a white band at base of lips. Dorsal fin yellow (except white margin and black submarginal line). Anal and pelvic fins white. Common length 19 cm (7.5 inches).
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indian Ocean in shallow, clear coastal and island reefs, 0.5-25 m (1.5-80 feet) . Usually on reef flats and along upper seaward slopes; sometimes in huge aggregations.
DIET IN THE WILD: benthic algae.
REPRODUCTION: Monogamous, open water/substratum egg scatterers
CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern.
Animal attractions Rich Ross
3-14-14
References
flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/2978892415/in/set-72157…
WordPress shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1dQ
fishbase fishbase.org/summary/1257