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

Genus/species: Acanthurus achilles

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The Achilles Surgeonfish’s black body is ovate and compressed with a large orange caudal spot. The caudal fin has a broad vertical orange band. The spine in caudal peduncle may be venomous. Juveniles lack the orange spot.

Length to 24 cm (9.5 in)

Acanthurus achilles (Acanthuridae) Surgeonfishes, Tangs and Unicornfishes Distribution: Indo-Pacific. Habitat: Clear seaward reefs, primarily in the surf zone to 4 m. Usually in small groups. Appearance: Length to 24 cm. Ovate compressed body black with a large orange caudal spot. Caudal fin has a broad vertical orange band. Diet: Diurnal herbivores of filamentous and small fleshy algae. Reproduction and Development: Spawners. Juveniles lack the orange spot. Mortality/Longevity: An important food fish on tropical islands. Remarks: Highly territorial. “Tang” in British dialect means dagger or knife. Thus the common name refers to the caudal peduncle spines. Single scalpel-like peduncular spine folds into a groove on each side of the tail. Spines are used offensively or defensively, against conspecifics in struggles for dominance or against predators. Whether a fish has a common name of “surgeonfish” or “tang” seems to be a matter of convention, not substance.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Central Pacific: Micronesia, New Caledonia, Hawaii to Pitcairn and east to of French Polynesia Island. Found on clear seaward reefs, primarily in the surf zone to 4 m (12 ft). Usually in small groups.

DIET IN THE WILD: Diurnal herbivores of filamentous and small fleshy algae.

REPRODUCTION: Monogamous spawners

ACHILLES SURGEONFISH (Acanthurus achilles) .JPG

MORTALITY: An important food fish on tropical islands.

REMARKS: “Tang” in British dialect means dagger or knife. Thus the common name refers to the caudal peduncle spines. Single scalpel-like peduncular spine folds into a groove on each side of the tail. Spines are used offensively or defensively, against conspecifics in struggles for dominance or against predators. Whether a fish has a common name of “surgeonfish” or “tang” seems to be a matter of convention, not substance. The generic name comes from the Greek acantha (“thorn”) and oura (“tail”).

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

fishbase  www.fishbase.org/summary/Acanthurus-achilles.html

IUCN Red List www.iucnredlist.org/details/177960/0

EOL eol.org/pages/210872/details

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/4330628500/in/set-72157625992053826/

Ron’s WordPress shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1ah