Lined surgeonfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lined surgeonfish |
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The Acanthurus lineatus, also known as the lined surgeonfish, is a colorful marine fish. It's often called the striped surgeonfish or zebra surgeonfish because of its unique patterns. This fish belongs to a group called Acanthuridae, which includes surgeonfishes, unicornfishes, and tangs. You can find this amazing fish in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region.
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About the Lined Surgeonfish
The lined surgeonfish was first officially described in 1758 by a famous scientist named Carl Linnaeus. He gave it the name Chaetodon lineatus. The name lineatus means "lined," which perfectly describes the stripes on its body. This fish is part of the larger Acanthurus group.
What Does It Look Like?
This fish can grow to be about 38 centimeters (about 15 inches) long. Its body is covered in bright blue and yellow stripes, each outlined in black. The top of its head also has yellow stripes. Its belly is usually a grayish color. The fins near its chest (pectoral fins) have dark lines, and its belly fins (pelvic fins) are yellow-brown with black edges. Fish from different areas, like around the Philippines, might have slightly different colors.
Where Does It Live?
The lined surgeonfish lives in the Indian Ocean, all the way from East Africa to the western Pacific Ocean. You can find it near the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, around Japan, in Polynesia, and even near Hawaii.
Its Home in the Ocean
This surgeonfish loves to live near reefs. It stays in shallow marine waters, usually just a few meters deep. It's known as a benthopelagic fish, which means it lives and feeds near the bottom of the ocean, but also swims in the water above.
Lined Surgeonfish Behaviour
Lined surgeonfish are very interesting fish. They are known for being quite territorial.
Territory and Social Life
A large male lined surgeonfish will often protect a feeding area. He usually lives with a group of females, forming a small harem. Sometimes, these fish will also gather in large groups, called schools. They come together in even bigger groups when it's time to lay eggs (spawning). Young lined surgeonfish, called juveniles, usually live by themselves.
What Do They Eat?
This fish is mostly a herbivore, meaning it eats plants. Most of its diet is algae, which it grazes on during the day. Sometimes, it might also eat small crustaceans.
Defense and Food Access
Lined surgeonfish found in the Indian Ocean, especially near Australia, are very good at defending their territories from other fish. These fish tend to be a bit smaller in body size. This smaller size can actually help them! It allows them to get to more food, especially after events like hurricanes. Hurricanes can sometimes damage reefs, but they also help grow more algal turfs, which is what the lined surgeonfish loves to eat.
Human Uses
The lined surgeonfish is important to people in a couple of ways. It has commercial value, meaning people catch it for food or to sell. It's also popular as an ornamental fish, often kept in aquariums because of its beautiful colors. In some places, like American Samoa, it's a very important fish among all the reef fish. Even though it's caught a lot in some areas, it's still common and lives in many protected parts of the ocean.
