Striated surgeonfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Striated surgeonfish |
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The striated surgeonfish (scientific name: Ctenochaetus striatus) is a type of fish that lives in the ocean. It is also known as the lined bristletooth or striped bristletooth. This fish belongs to a group called Acanthuridae, which includes surgeonfishes, unicornfishes, and tangs. You can find this species in many parts of the Indo-Pacific region.
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What is a Striated Surgeonfish?
The striated surgeonfish gets its name from the many thin lines on its body. It is a type of ray-finned fish, meaning its fins are supported by bony rays. Like other surgeonfishes, it has sharp, scalpel-like spines near its tail. These spines are used for defense.
How Big Do They Get?
This fish can grow up to about 26 centimeters (about 10 inches) long. That's roughly the length of a standard ruler.
What Do They Look Like?
Striated surgeonfish are usually greenish-brown in color. They have thin, wavy blue lines along their sides. Their heads are covered in many small orange spots. These blue lines also continue onto their top (dorsal) and bottom (anal) fins.
Where Do Striated Surgeonfish Live?
Striated surgeonfish live in a very large area across the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
- They are found along the coast of eastern Africa, from the Red Sea down to South Africa.
- They live across the Indian Ocean, but not along the main coast of South Asia.
- In the Pacific Ocean, they are found as far east as Pitcairn Island and French Polynesia.
- They also live north near the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan and south to Rapa Iti and the Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs in the Coral Sea.
Their Home in the Ocean
These fish prefer to live in coral reefs. You can find them in shallow reef flats, lagoons, and deeper seaward reefs. They like areas with coral, rocky surfaces, and rubble. They usually live at depths from 0 to 60 meters (about 0 to 200 feet).
What Do Striated Surgeonfish Eat?
Striated surgeonfish are mostly plant-eaters. They graze on the thin layer of algae and diatoms that grow on surfaces in the ocean. They also eat small invertebrates, which are tiny creatures without backbones.
Social Life
You might see these fish swimming alone, but they often gather in small or very large groups. Sometimes, they even swim with other types of fish.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Striated surgeonfish have a special way of reproducing.
- They gather in large groups to spawn, which means releasing eggs and sperm.
- This usually happens around the time of the full moon.
- The fish will stay still in the water for a few hours, changing color to grey.
- Then, a few fish will swim up towards the surface, circling each other.
- As they circle, they release their eggs and sperm into the water.
Baby Fish and Sound
Interestingly, baby striated surgeonfish are attracted to noisy areas in the ocean. While many other coral fish babies avoid loud sounds or only like specific ones, these surgeonfish uniquely seek out noisy spots.
How People Use Striated Surgeonfish
Striated surgeonfish are caught by people for two main reasons:
- Food: They are caught using traps and nets to be eaten.
- Aquariums: They are also popular in the aquarium trade because of their interesting appearance.
