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

Genus/species: Acanthurus nigroris

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Dark brown body with numerous blue stripes in scroll patterns on face and chest, more horizontal on body. Dark peduncular spine and tail. Small but distinctive black spots on rear base of both dorsal and anal fins.

A small surgeonfish; max. size: 25 cm (10 inches)

Blue-lined Surgeonfish4405089188_0ed976bdfe_b

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Hawaiian Islands in clear lagoons and outward reefs to 200 ft.

DIET IN THE WILD: Filamentous algae, diatoms, fine algal film.

REPRODUCTION; Pelagic spawner.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern.

REMARKS: Solitary or form small groups.

 

References:

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

EOL: eol.org/pages/211466/overview

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/ACANTHURUS-NIGRORIS.html

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/4405089188/in/set-72157608332652056/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink:  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1bk