TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)

Genus/species: Acanthurus blochii

RingtailSurgeonfish8680230384_409ba2ee72_k

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS


A. Bluish grey with numerous yellowish brown spots which tend to form irregular longitudinal lines.

B. Head with narrow irregular stripes

C. Behind eye a yellow spot

D. Brown pectoral fins

E. Base of caudal fin with white bar

F.  Caudal spine large.

Differs from A. dussumieri by having vertical stripes instead of spots on the blue central area of the caudal fin, from A. mata by having a lunate caudal fin, and from A. xanthopterus by having plain brown to blue-grey pectoral fins.

The white ring around the base of the tail varies in intensity and may occasionally be absent. 

Max size: up to 45 cm (18 in)

Ringtail Surgeonfish 4441603380_717ef654b8_b

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands, south to Australia in lagoons and shallow coral reefs.

Depth 2–15 m (6-50 ft)

DIET IN THE WILD: Graze on algae, diatoms and detritus

CONSERVATION; IUCN Red List Least Concern

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

Ron’s flickr  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3320764840/in/set-72157625992053826

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-C1

fishbase www.fishbase.se/summary/4750

Encyclopedia of life eol.org/pages/211484/details

IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/177971/0