Striped Surgeonfish, Acanthurus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Scientific name: Acanthurus lineatus
Alternative name/s:
Blue-lined Surgeonfish, Striped Tang, Zebra Surgeonfish
  • Updated
    15/07/19
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Striped Surgeonfish Click to enlarge image
A Striped Surgeonfish at a depth of 4m, south-east Horn, Osprey Reef, Coral Sea, November 1998. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Acanthurus
    Species
    lineatus
    Family
    Acanthuridae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The Striped Surgeonfish grows to 38 cm in length.

Introduction

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.

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.

Habitat

It occurs on exposed coral reefs.

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.

Economic impacts

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

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.