Yellowfin surgeonfish

  Tropical reef fish

Identity card

Yellowfin surgeonfish

Scientific name:
Acanthurus xanthopterus
Family:
Acanthuridae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Phylum:
Chordata
Year of description:
1835, Valenciennes
IUCN Status:
Least Concern
Distribution:

Indo-Pacific: coast of East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia, Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia, and the eastern Pacific.

Habitat:

Coral reefs, sandy slopes, lagoons at depths between 1 and 100 m. Juveniles in shallow waters, adults in the protective depths of bays and lagoons.

Size:

50 cm, up to 70 cm.

Diet:

Diatoms, detrital film of sand, filamentous algae, hydroids and pieces of fish.

Where can I find it at Nausicaá?

Journey on the high seas

The Ocean Mag

Browse through our Ocean Mag

In the spotlight

Do you know about the rays at Nausicaá?

Ten species of rays can be found in the three visitor areas at Nausicaá.

Raie mante diable

Article

Daily care for the manta ray at Nausicaá

The manta ray fascinates visitors with its majestic appearance. How do aquarists and the veterinarian care for this animal on a daily basis?

Article

What are the new species in the Tropical getaway exhibition?

New species are enriching the exhibition's ponds.