Elongate surgeonfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acanthurus mata |
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The Acanthurus mata is a type of fish that lives in warm, tropical ocean waters. It belongs to a group of fish called surgeonfish. People often call it the elongate surgeonfish or blue-lined surgeonfish because of its shape and colors.
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What Does the Elongate Surgeonfish Look Like?
This fish is medium-sized. It can grow up to 50 centimetres (20 in) long. Its body is oval-shaped and flat from side to side. Like other surgeonfish, it uses its pectoral fins (side fins) to swim. Its tail fin, called the caudal fin, looks like a crescent moon. The fish has a small, pointed mouth.
Its body is usually brown with bluish lines running across it. But it can change its color to become more grey-blue. A bright yellow stripe goes across its eye. This stripe then splits into two lines near the front of its head. The top lip is also yellow. Its top fin (dorsal fin) and bottom fin (anal fin) are bluish with a yellow shine. The base of the anal fin has a thin black line.
One special feature is a sharp, movable spine near its tail. This spine is like a tiny scalpel, which is why these fish are called surgeonfish. They use this spine to protect themselves.
Where Does the Elongate Surgeonfish Live?
This fish lives in many tropical waters around the world. You can find it in the western Indian Ocean and across the Pacific Ocean. This wide area is known as the Indo-Pacific region.
It lives in places like the Red Sea and the Gulf of Oman. You can also find it south to Natal in Africa, and east to the Society and Marquesan Islands. It goes north to southern Japan and south to New South Wales and New Caledonia. Young fish have even been seen as far south as Sydney, Australia.
What Kind of Home Does It Like?
Acanthurus mata usually lives on steep slopes around coral reefs. It prefers depths from about 5 to 45 meters (16 to 148 feet).
What Does the Elongate Surgeonfish Eat?
The elongate surgeonfish is a planktivore. This means it mostly eats tiny living things that float in the water. It especially likes zooplankton, which are very small animals.
How Does It Behave?
Acanthurus mata is active during the day. When it is resting on the reef, it usually stays by itself. But when it's time to eat, it might gather in small groups in the open water.
See also
In Spanish: Acanthurus mata para niños
