Where can I find the animal?
Acanthurus japonicus is found in the western Pacific Ocean, from southern Japan to Sulawesi in Indonesia. It lives in clear lagoons and coastal reefs, usually in shallow areas.
How can you recognise it?
This surgeonfish has a broad white stripe extending from the lower edge of the eye to the upper lip. A yellow stripe surrounds the oval shape of its body. The caudal peduncle is yellow, as is the base of the pectoral fins.
The surgeonfish owes its name to the two scalpels located on either side of its caudal fin. These two sharp elements can be raised and are used during fights between males.
What makes it special?
The Acanthurus japonicus surgeonfish is classified as a grazer. Amongst Acanthuridae, the sexes are separate. Acanthuridae do not exhibit obvious sexual dimorphism, with males adopting colours for courtship displays.
Threats and protective measures
There are no specific conservation measures for this species.
