Atlantic Blue Tang
Acanthurus coeruleus
Ringtail surgeonfish
Acanthurus blochii
About
Adults occur in outer lagoon and seaward reefs, usually seen in small groups and school in some oceanic locations . Benthopelagic .
Also known as: dark surgeon, ringtail surgeonfish, tailring surgeonfish, whitetail lancet, ringtail surgeonfish, whitetail surgeonfish, dark surgeon, tailring surgeon, elongate surgeonfish, whitetail lancet, tailring surgeonfish, ringtail surgeon, ringtail surgeonfish, whitetail surgeonfish, tailring surgeon, dark surgeonfish
- Length
- 45 cm
- Depth
- up to 15 m
Appearance
Look for color in life bluish grey with numerous yellowish brown spots which tend to form irregular longitudinal lines; head with narrow irregular stripes; behind eye a yellow spot.
Habitat
Adults occur in outer lagoon and seaward reefs, usually seen in small groups and school in some oceanic locations .
Behaviour
Adults occur in outer lagoon and seaward reefs, usually seen in small groups and school in some oceanic locations .
Diet
They feed primarily on the algal film covering compacted sand, ingesting the usual component of sand which probably aids in the trituration of the algal food in the thick-walled stomach, also feed on diatoms and detritus
Did you know?
Tangs are named for the sharp scalpel-like spine near the tail base.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
