ACANTHURIDAE


Acanthurus mata, 4.4 cm SL
(photo by Richard Winterbottom)


Acanthurus mata
(Cuvier, 1829)
Elongate Surgeonfish

D IX, 24-26; A III, 23-24; P1 16-17.

Body deep, 2.1-2.5 in SL. Teeth fixed, denticulate on all of margin, with expanded incurved tips. Caudal fin deeply emarginate, the caudal concavity 5.5-8.0 in SL. Caudal peduncle with 1 folding spine. Color: body gray to brown with lengthwise blue lines on head and body; a small blackish spot at upper end of gill opening, preceded by a yellow band that continues in front of eye as a double band. Size: maximum length 50 cm, commonly to 35 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, including the Red Sea, Andaman Sea, Ryukyu Islands and New Caledonia. Remarks: occurring on rocky and coral reefs.