Acanthurus grammoptilus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acanthurus grammoptilus |
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The finelined surgeonfish (Acanthurus grammoptilus) is a cool marine fish. It is also known as the inshore surgeonfish, Northwest surgeonfish, or ring-tailed surgeonfish. This fish belongs to a family called Acanthuridae. This family includes surgeonfishes, unicornfishes, and tangs. You can find this fish swimming in the Western Pacific Ocean.
About the Finelined Surgeonfish
How Scientists Named It
The finelined surgeonfish was first officially described in 1843. A Scottish naturalist named John Richardson gave it its scientific name. He found it near Port Essington in Australia. Scientists give every living thing a special two-part name. This helps everyone around the world know exactly which creature they are talking about. The finelined surgeonfish is part of the Acanthurus group, which is a type of surgeonfish.
What It Looks Like
The finelined surgeonfish has a unique look. Its back fin (called the dorsal fin) has 9 strong spines and 25 or 26 soft rays. Its belly fin (called the anal fin) has 3 spines and 23 or 24 soft rays. The body shape of this fish can change. Younger fish and subadults often have deeper bodies. Its tail fin (called the caudal fin) is shaped like a crescent moon.
The fish is usually brown to dark brown. It has a white band near its tail, on a part called the caudal peduncle. You might see yellow streaks around its eyes and small yellow spots on its cheeks. The tail fin has a thin white edge. The dorsal fin has a thin blue edge. There are also thin blue lines on the back parts of both the dorsal and anal fins. The outer half of its pectoral fin (the fin near its side) is yellow. The spine near its tail is a bit dark. This species can grow up to about 35.6 centimeters (about 14 inches) long.
Where It Lives
The finelined surgeonfish lives in the Western Pacific Ocean. It has been seen from Western Australia all the way east to Fiji. It has been officially recorded in Australia, Fiji, and New Caledonia. You can find this fish in many different places. It lives in silty coastal reefs and also on outer reef slopes where the water is clear.
