Acanthurus reversus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acanthurus reversus |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
The Acanthurus reversus is a type of marine fish known as a ray-finned fish. It belongs to a special group of fish called the Acanthuridae family. This family includes cool fish like surgeonfishes, unicornfishes, and tangs. This particular fish is only found in one place in the world: French Polynesia. When a plant or animal is found only in one specific area, we say it is endemic to that place.
Contents
Discovering the Marquesas Surgeonfish
Who Discovered This Fish?
The Acanthurus reversus was officially named and described in 1999. Two American ichthyologists, who are scientists who study fish, discovered it. Their names were John Ernest Randall and John L. Earle. They found this fish near a place called Marquisienne Bay, on an island called Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands.
Why is it Called Reversus?
The scientific name reversus means "reversed." This name was chosen because of the special pattern on its tail fin, also known as its caudal fin. The colors on its tail are like a "reversed" version of a similar fish, the orangeband surgeonfish (A. olivaceus). These two fish are very closely related.
What Does the Marquesas Surgeonfish Look Like?
Colors and Patterns
The Marquesas surgeonfish is mostly brown. Sometimes, the back part of its body can be a bit lighter than the front. It has a cool, long orange spot near its gills. This orange spot is surrounded by a blue band that stretches past its pectoral fin (the fins on its sides). You might also see a faint orange line at the bottom of its dorsal fin (on its back) and anal fin (on its belly).
Fin Details
The soft part of its dorsal fin has three dark lines that go across it. Its anal fin has a blue edge. The tail fin is light yellow with a wide black band at the back. This black band gets thinner as it reaches the pointy parts of the tail.
Young Fish and Size
Young Marquesas surgeonfish look a bit different! They are yellow and have blue edges on their dorsal and anal fins. This fish can grow up to about 34 centimeters (about 13 inches) long.
Where Does the Marquesas Surgeonfish Live?
Its Home in French Polynesia
The Marquesas surgeonfish is, as we mentioned, endemic to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. This means it naturally lives only in this specific group of islands.
Habitat and Depth
You can find these fish living on reefs close to the shore. They usually swim alone or in small groups. They like to be in water that is between 4 and 25 meters (about 13 to 82 feet) deep. There was one time a fish like this was seen far away in the Tuamotu Archipelago, but scientists think it was just a "vagrant." A vagrant animal is one that has wandered far from its usual home.
