The ocean surgeon or ocean surgeon fish, scientific name Acanthurus bahianus is a tropical fish recognized to dwell in reefs within the Atlantic Ocean. It is edible, and sometimes marketed contemporary, however, more typically they’re used as bait or within the aquarium commerce.
Ocean surgeon fish Description
Ocean surgeons are recognized by their oval our bodies with uniform shade (Usually blue-gray to darkish brown), the pale to darkish marking across the eyes, and the light yellow is now discovered on their our bodies.
Most have blue or white markings on the dorsal fin, anal fin, and tail fins and pale bands can typically be seen on the base of their tails. They typically swim in faculties with different species such because the Atlantic blue tang surgeonfish.
They have been recorded as much as 38 cm (15 in) in size. Ocean surgeons have a complete of 9 spines on their Dorsal fins and between 23 and 26 soft rays. Their anal fins have solely Three spines and between 21 and 23 rays. Their caudal fins are roughly emarginate, and the surgeonfish’s body and head are each deep and compressed.
Geographical Distribution
The member of the Acanthuridae resides within the western Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts (US) and Bermuda, south to the Gulf of Mexico (besides the northeastern area the place it’s apparently changed by Acanthurus randalli), and Brazil.
In the eastern Atlantic basin, it’s discovered off Ascension and St. Helena Islands off Angola. Although there was the latest reporting of the ocean surgeon from Seychelles, it’s considered to be in error.
Ocean surgeon fish Habitat
Inhabiting shallow bottoms over coral and rock formations, the ocean surgeon usually happens in teams of 5 or more. It is primarily a diurnal species and sometimes faculties with different species together with the blue tang and surgeonfish.
Ocean surgeon fish Short description
Dorsal spines (whole): 9; Dorsal soft rays (whole): 23-26; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 21 – 23. This species is distinguished by the next set of characters: D IX, 23-26; A III, 21-23; pectoral rays 15-17; gill rakers 18-24; coated with very small ctenoid scales; spatulate enamel has denticulate edges, higher jaw with 14, decrease jaw 16; body depth about 2.0 in standard size; caudal fin lunate, the concavity of caudal fin 5.0-12.0 in SL, more concave in adults; the size of caudal backbone 3.0-3.5 in SL; eye diameter 3.0-3.5 in head size; the color of body yellowish to grayish brown, without darkish vertical bars; yellow traces radiating from the posterior margin of eye; translucent pectoral fin with yellow tints; white or pale spot on the base of caudal fin; posterior margin of caudal, anal and dorsal fins have a light blue or white margin.
Ocean surgeon fish Biology
Inhabits shallow bottoms with coral or rocky formations (Ref. 13628); additionally discovered round inshore rocky areas with patches of sand, feeding totally on benthic algae and sometimes grazing on seagrass beds. Usually happens in teams of 5 or more people. Mainly diurnal species. The backbone on either side of the caudal peduncle might inflict painful wounds. Marketed fresh.
Ocean surgeon fish Distinctive Features
The oval-shaped body of the ocean surgeon is reasonably deep and compressed. The mouth is small and low on the top, nicely tailored for scraping algae from rocks and coral.
There is a pointy scalpel-like backbone situated on the facet of the caudal peduncle that matches right into a horizontal groove. The comparatively long dorsal fin is steady and unnotched. The caudal fin is moderate to deeply emarginated. The scales are small and ctenoid. The abdomen is gizzard-like.
Coloration
The ocean surgeon is yellowish to grayish brown with pale greenish-grey to pale blue vertical traces on the body. There are brief yellow traces radiating from the posterior margin of the attention inside a slim blue space.
The dorsal fin has a blue margin and alternating bands of orange and bluish inexperienced. The anal fin is equally colored however with fewer much less apparent bands.
The caudal fin is olive to brown altering abruptly to white or paler on the base with a bluish-white posterior margin. There is a small violet or blue area on the socket of the caudal backbone. Color adjustments might happen throughout spawning in addition to intraspecific competition and different communication
Ocean surgeon fish Dentition
The dentition of the ocean surgeon is very tailored for feeding on filamentous species of benthic algae. It has close-set denticulate edged spatulate enamel within the smallmouth.
There had been reported to be 14 enamel within the higher jaw and 16 enamel within the decrease jaw of a specimen measuring 6.7 inches (17cm) standard size.
Size, Age, and Growth
The blue tang reaches roughly 12 inches (30.5 cm) in size. The largest specimen, caught off the coast of South America, measured 14.Four inches (37 cm). It reaches sexual maturity at 9-12 months of age and lengths of 4-5 inches (11-13 cm).
Food Habits
Acanthurids are diurnal fishes, feeding totally on inexperienced and brown algae together with a small number of small invertebrates. Their small mouths and specialized enamel decide up giant portions of coral and sand whereas feeding on algal mats alongside the underside substrate.
The ocean surgeon has thin-walled intestines full of sand and numerous natural world thought to assist within the digestion of its algal food plan. In specific, this species feeds on algae together with species of the genera of Dictyota, Cladophora, Chaetomorpha, Ceramium, and Thalassia.
Other Recommended Articles
- Pelican Eel – How does the Pelican Eel Survive?
- Bluegill vs Sunfish – Are sunfish and bluegill the same thing?
- Sharptail mola – Masturus lanceolatus Facts
- Best Places to Fly Fish in Washington State
- What are the Best Places to Fly Fish in Montana?
- The Role of Oscar in the Fish Hooks TV Series
- Oscar Fish – Beautiful Types of Oscar
- Mirror carp – Difference between Common and Mirror Carp
- Common Carp Facts – How Fast do Carp Grow?
- Why is Common Carp Invasive Species?
- Ctenopharyngodon idella – Grass Carp is the Largest Fish Production
- Types of Carp – What are the Common Types of Carp?
- What Do Carp Eat – What bait is Best for carp?
- Types of Gar – Mind Blowing Gars of the Water
- Gar Fish Eating – What is the Best Bait for Garfish?
- Garfish – Facts | Distribution | Adaptations | Egg | Recipe
- Alligator Gar Attack on Humans and Dog
- What do Gars Eat – What is the Best Bait for Garfish?
- Gar Fish teeth – Spotted | Alligator | Longnose | Florida
- Needlefish – Do Needlefish Attack Humans?
Ocean surgeon fish Reproduction
Spawning happens from November to April with the peak season from December to March. Members of the genus Acanthurus spawn by forming pairs or more generally in aggregations of pairs. Color adjustments might happen throughout spawning in addition to intraspecific competitors and different types of communication.
The pelagic eggs are spherical with a single oil globule. Each measure 0.17mm in diameter. Upon hatching, the larvae are kite-shaped with an elongate snout and a small terminal mouth. Falling prey to bigger fish and different marine animals, larvae are sometimes discovered within the stomachs of tuna.
Transformation to the juvenile stage happens at roughly 23-33m in size comparable to following a 42-68 day pelagic larval part. As the larvae settle out of the water column and turn into juveniles, they search for the safety and sources of reef and seagrass habitats. Learn more about European anchovy fish.