Animal Species:Striped Surgeonfish, Acanthurus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Striped Surgeonfish can be easily recognised by its colouration. The upper three-quarters of the head and body are covered with black-edged, blue and yellow stripes. The lower quarter is purple to pale blue.

A Striped Surgeonfish at Osprey Reef

A Striped Surgeonfish at Osprey Reef
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Blue-lined Surgeonfish, Striped Tang, Zebra Surgeonfish

Identification

The Striped Surgeonfish can be easily recognised by its colouration. The upper three-quarters of the head and body are covered with black-edged, blue and yellow stripes. The lower quarter is purple to pale blue. It has a lunate caudal fin and a long spine on the caudal peduncle.

 

Size range

The Striped Surgeonfish grows to 38 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs throughout much of the central and Indo-Pacific.

In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland to northern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Acanthurus lineatus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Striped Surgeonfish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It occurs on exposed coral reefs.

Economic/social impacts

The Striped Surgeonfish is a popular aquarium species but a large tank is necessary because the species grows to 38 cm in length.

Classification

Species:
lineatus
Genus:
Acanthurus
Family:
Acanthuridae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  • Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  • Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  • Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  • Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
  • Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


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Tags Striped Surgeonfish, fishes, ichthyology, Acanthurus, lineatus, yellow, blue, black, odd-shaped, 30 cm - 1 m, stripes or bands, coral reef, marine, adult, tiny eyes,