Teleostei (teleosts) >
Acanthuriformes (Surgeonfishes) >
Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes) > Acanthurinae
Etymology: Acanthurus: Greek, akantha = thorn + Greek, oura = tail (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Henry Weed Fowler (1878–1965) was an American herpetologist, ornithologist, ichthyologist and artist. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 50 m (Ref. 58652), usually 2 - 20 m (Ref. 27115). Tropical; 24°C - 28°C (Ref. 27115)
Western Pacific: Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and off northwestern Australia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 45.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 48637)
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26 - 28; Anal soft rays: 25 - 26. A large semicircular to subtriangular black mark anteriorly on side of body (open part anterior), the upper end at level of eye above dorsal end of gill opening, the lower end above base of pectoral fins. Head suffused with purplish blue. Caudal fin blackish centrally with a yellow band in each lobe that merges with white band at base, the posterior margin narrowly blue (Ref 9808).
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep.
A solitary and wary species found in clear seaward reefs and drop-offs (Ref. 9710, 48637). Often grazes algae from surface of sponges (Ref. 90102). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Randall, J.E., 1956. A revision of the surgeonfish genus Acanthurus. Pac. Sci. 10(2):159-235. (Ref. 1920)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
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![Image of Acanthurus fowleri (Fowler\](/images/thumbnails/jpg/tn_Acfow_u2.jpg "Image of Acanthurus fowleri (Fowler\")
