Scientific Name
Acanthurus bahianus

Common Name
Ocean surgeon

Biology
Inhabits shallow bottoms with coral or rocky formations (Ref. 13628). Usually occurs in groups of five or more individuals. Mainly diurnal species. Feeds on algae. The spine on both sides of the caudal peduncle may inflict painful wounds (Ref. 5217). Marketed fresh. Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115.

Classification

Classified By

Castelnau, 1855

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda southward to the Gulf of Mexico (except in the northeast) and Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Ascension and St. Helena islands (Ref. 7345) off Angola (Ref. 26938). A recent record from Seychelles is probably a locality error (Ref. 13442).

Range

43°N - 33°S, 98°W - 13°W

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

21 °C

Water Temperature To

25 °C

Depth From - meters

2 m

Depth To - meters

40 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 40 m (Ref. 7345), usually 2 - 25 m (Ref. 27115)

Trophic Level

2 s.e. 0.00 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

38.1 cm

Common Length

25.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; bait: occasionally

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 5217)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated