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Whitefin surgeonfish (Acanthurus albipectoralis) — Acanthuridae

Whitefin surgeonfish

Acanthurus albipectoralis
Family: Acanthuridae

The Whitefin surgeonfish (Acanthurus albipectoralis) is a saltwater fish of the family Acanthuridae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–20.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The whitefin surgeonfish is a surgeonfish (Acanthuridae) from the southwest Pacific. The species grows to about 33 cm and has a blue-black, disc-shaped body with conspicuously white edges on the pectoral fins. As a reef-dweller it hovers in groups above steep outer-reef slopes and eats mainly zooplankton from the current, supplemented with algae. A sharp, scalpel-like spine sits on each side of the tail base that can inflict a deep cut; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Whitefin surgeonfish?

The Whitefin surgeonfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Whitefin surgeonfish live?

The Whitefin surgeonfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Whitefin surgeonfish get?

The Whitefin surgeonfish grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Whitefin surgeonfish dangerous to humans?

The Whitefin surgeonfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witvin-doktersvis sourced
English name
Whitefin surgeonfish sourced
Scientific name
Acanthurus albipectoralis
Family
Acanthuridae
Other names
Whitefin surgeonfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acanthurus

More from the family Acanthuridae

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