Acanthurus guttatus Forster, 1801

Description


Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27 - 30; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 23 - 26. Preserved color is brown; spotted, white spots usually bordered with dark brown (may help conceal it in turbulent water that is often filled with small bubbles). Pelvic fins bright yellow. Each side of caudal peduncle with a single, sharp, forward-pointing erectile spine. Gill rakers on anterior row: 21-24; gill rakers on posterior row: 19-23.

Common Names


No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy


Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Acanthuriformes

Family: Acanthuridae

Genus: Acanthurus

Species: Acanthurus guttatus Forster, 1801

Climate Zone


  • Tropical
  • Location


  • Indo-Pacific: oceanic islands in the western Indian Ocean to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia and Rapa.
  • Biology


    Occurs in surge zone of clear seaward reefs (Ref. 9710, 58302). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302); mainly oceanic and found schooling in shallow depths over reef flats subject to surge or currents (Ref. 48637). Browses on filamentous and calcareous algae. Forms schools.

    Habitat


    associated