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Bariene surgeonfish (Acanthurus bariene) — Acanthuridae

Bariene surgeonfish

Acanthurus bariene
Family: Acanthuridae

The Bariene surgeonfish (Acanthurus bariene) is a saltwater fish of the family Acanthuridae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–50.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Hong Kong and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The bariene surgeonfish is a large surgeonfish (Acanthuridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a deep, brown to olive-green, disc-shaped body with a blue mask pattern around the eyes and an orange ring behind the eye region. As a reef-dweller it grazes algae and diatoms from coral and rocky reefs on outer reefs. 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 Bariene surgeonfish?

The Bariene surgeonfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown. Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care.

Where does the Bariene surgeonfish live?

The Bariene surgeonfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Hong Kong and others

How big does the Bariene surgeonfish get?

The Bariene surgeonfish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Bariene surgeonfish dangerous to humans?

The Bariene surgeonfish can cause injury; handle it with care. Never grab a live surgeonfish by the tail; a sharp, scalpel-like spine sits on each side of the tail base. For a cut: rinse with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Deep wounds easily become infected: have them assessed medically and check tetanus status.

Is the Bariene surgeonfish edible?

Yes, the Bariene surgeonfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bariene surgeonfish (Acanthurus bariene) — Acanthuridae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bariene surgeonfish (Acanthurus bariene) — Acanthuridae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bariene surgeonfish (Acanthurus bariene) — Acanthuridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — portioid (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Bariene surgeonfish (Acanthurus bariene) — Acanthuridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Bariene surgeonfish sourced
Scientific name
Acanthurus bariene
Family
Acanthuridae
Other names
Bariene surgeonfish; Black-spot surgeonfish; Roundspot surgeonfish; Eye-spot surgeon; Eyespot surgeonfish; Eye-spot surgeonfish; Ma'ito verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Hong Kong and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, seaweeds and plant material inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified
First aid
Never grab a live surgeonfish by the tail; a sharp, scalpel-like spine sits on each side of the tail base. For a cut: rinse with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Deep wounds easily become infected: have them assessed medically and check tetanus status. sourced

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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