Acanthurus japonicus (Schmidt, 1931)
Japan surgeonfish
Acanthurus japonicus
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Acanthurinae
Max. size:  23 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Sulawesi (Indonesia) to Philippines and Ryukyu Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-31; Anal soft rays: 26-29. A broad white band extending from lower edge of eye to upper lip. A bright orange band in outer part of soft portion of dorsal fin. Caudal peduncle yellow, shading to black a short distance anteriorly. Base of pectoral fins yellow (Ref 9808). Description: Characterized further by having caudal spine length 2.5-3.0 in head length; greatest depth of body 2.0-2.2 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  In clear lagoon and seaward reefs, usually in shallow exposed areas. Found in small to large aggregations (Ref. 48637). Sometimes solitary (Ref. 90102). Feed on algae (Ref. 128523).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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