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Size
7.5 inches (19 cm) -
Diet
Algae -
Range
Indo-West Pacific -
Habitat
Reef environments, including reef flats and upper seaward slopes
Physical Characteristics
- Body is deep and laterally compressed.
- Coloration is light blue to purple with yellow dorsal fin and white anal and pelvic fins. Face is dark blue to black from below the mouth to the base of the pectoral fins and over the eyes. White band from the throat to the pectoral fin.
- Common length of 7.5 inches (19 cm). Maximum length of 21 inches (53 cm).
- Sharp spine along either side of the caudal peduncle, which serves as a defense mechanism. This spine is commonly referred to as a “scalpel” which is how surgeonfish get their name.
Animal Fun Fact
The powder blue surgeonfish forms monogamous pairs.
Diet / Feeding
- Diet primarily consists of algae.
Range / Habitat
- Occurs in the Indo-West Pacific from Eastern Africa to the Andaman Sea and Southwest Indonesia.
- Found in reef environments, including reef flats and upper seaward slopes at depths down to 82 feet (25 m).
Reproduction & Growth
- Oviparous, or egg-laying species.
- Monogamous, paired spawning.
Conservation Status
- “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.
Additional Information
- Also known as the “powder blue tang.”
- May be seen singly or in large feeding aggregations.
