Latin name

Acanthurus lineatus

Other name

Blue banded surgeonfish, blue-lined surgeonfish, clown surgeonfish, pyjama tang, striped surgeonfish, zebra surgeonfish.

Identification

Like all surgeonfish, the body is flattened at the sides. This species is characterized by the following features: the body is deep and compressed, the depth is 2.1-3 times the standard length or SL (the body of juveniles is relatively deeper than that of adults). The snout is 5.2-5.7 times longer than that of adults. The mouth is small, the teeth are shovel-shaped, closely set, with serrated edges. The stomach is thin-walled. 

Features of fish fins

Caudal fin lyre-shaped. Dorsal rays (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-30; Anal rays: 3; Anal soft rays: 25-28.

Fish colouring

The sides of the body are brightly colored with blue and yellow stripes, the belly is pure blue, and the dorsal fin is yellow. The anal and pelvic fins are orange. 

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: East Africa, including the Mascarene Islands, Hawaii, the Marquesas Islands and the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. Replaced in the Red Sea by the closely related species Acanthurus sohal.

Habitat

Tropical marine benthopelagic species. Depth range 0 to 15 m, usually 1 to 3 m. Occupies outer reefs with coral vegetation, avoiding rocky reefs. Juveniles live in shallow water, adults avoid intertidal areas. 

Size

Body length up to 38 cm. Normal length 25 cm. Maximum reported age: 46 years.

Behavior

Males are territorial. They have an area of 4 to 12 square meters that they occupy with several females. The fish constantly controls the boundaries of the area, chasing away conspecifics and competitors. Juveniles lead a solitary and secretive life in shallow rocky habitats.

Food and feeding habits

It feeds on algae. Plant-eater, but also eats crustaceans.

Reproduction

Forms spawning aggregations. Spawn in pairs. Courtship occurs at various times of the day, with peak spawning occurring in the morning, but may also occur from noon to midday and is often timed to coincide with low tide.

Fishing

Lined surgeonfish are commercially important. They are fished for sale to aquariums.

Relationship with a person

The venomous tail spur of these fish can inflict painful wounds.