Acanthurus gahhm (Forsskål, 1775)
Black surgeonfish
photo by Field, R.

Family:  Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Acanthurinae
Max. size:  40 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 50 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: endemic to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-28; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 23-26. Characterized by having 2 longitudinal bands on the side, one from the hind margin of the eye posteriorly, another from the groove around the caudal peduncle spine anteriorly. Juveniles of less than 5 cm SL lack the anterior band; less than 10 cm SL lack the posterior band. Reaches 24 cm SL.
Biology:  Often found in large groups in open areas near coral or rock (Ref. 9710). Caught with nets (Ref. 30573). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 275.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.