English Name: Lined surgeonfish
Family: ACANTHURIDAE
Local Name: Fashuvi libaas
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 38 cm
Specimen: MRS/0410/92
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 9 spines and 27-29 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 25-28 rays. Pectoral rays 16. Adult body depth about 2.2 in standard length. Caudal peduncle spine very long. Caudal fin lunate.
Colour: Distinctly and beautifully coloured, with alternate black edged yellow and blue stripes.
Habitat and Biology: An inshore species of coral reefs or rocky substrates exposed to wave action. Feeds on benthic algae. Territorial and very aggressive.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
Remarks: Acanthurus lineatus is a very common inhabitant of shallow reef flats. This
beautifully marked surgeonfish is very popular among aquarists and divers. The caudal spine is
apparently venomous.