Common name: Black-spot surgeonfish
General information
The Blackspot Surgeonfish, scientifically known as Acanthurus bariene, is a striking marine fish recognized for its robust body and distinctive black spots. It is a member of the Acanthuridae family, which is well-known for the scalpel-like spine located on the caudal peduncle, used for defense and territorial displays.
This species exhibits a brownish to olive body color with vibrant yellow accents on the dorsal and anal fins. The black spots, from which it derives its common name, are prominently displayed on the body and tail.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 400 liter (110 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 50 cm (1′8″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Sensitive to water quality.
- Diet
- Herbivore Prefers algae, offer varied diet.
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive May be aggressive to conspecifics.
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerciformesPerciformes
- FamilySurgeonfishAcanthuridae
- GenusSurgeonfishAcanthurus
- SpeciesBlack-spot surgeonfishAcanthurus bariene Lesson, 1831
- SynonymsAcanthurus kingii Bennett, 1835Acanthurus nummifer Valenciennes, 1835Hepatus bariene (Lesson, 1831)Rhombotides nummifer (Valenciennes, 1835)
Care
Blackspot Surgeonfish require a spacious aquarium to accommodate their active swimming behavior and potential size, which can reach up to 50 centimeters in length. They thrive in well-oxygenated water with strong currents and ample room to swim.
A varied diet is crucial for their health, consisting of marine algae, seaweed, and meaty foods. They are herbivores by nature, so providing a constant supply of algae or seaweed is essential to prevent malnutrition.
Reproduction
In the wild, Blackspot Surgeonfish are known to form spawning aggregations. However, breeding them in captivity is challenging due to their large size and complex social behaviors.
Habitat
The Blackspot Surgeonfish is found in tropical and subtropical waters across the Indo-Pacific region. They are commonly associated with coral reefs, where they graze on algae and can be observed in both shallow lagoons and outer reef slopes.
Their natural range extends from the East African coast to the central Pacific, including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and as far east as Samoa.