In the spotlight
What is El Niño?
A new El Niño event, described as “very strong”, is set to occur from this spring onwards.
Identity card
Ringtail surgeonfish
- Scientific name:
- Acanthurus blochii
- Family:
- Acanthuridae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Year of description:
- 1835, Valenciennes
- IUCN Status:
- Least Concern
- Distribution:
-
Indo-Pacific: from East Africa (Mascarene Islands) to the Hawaiian and Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe Island.
- Habitat:
-
Outer reefs and lagoons, between 2 and 15 m deep; benthopelagic species.
- Size:
Up to 45 cm.
- Diet:
-
Herbivore, seaweed eater.
