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Bluelined surgeonfish (Acanthurus nubilus) — Acanthuridae

Bluelined surgeonfish

Acanthurus nubilus
Family: Acanthuridae

The Bluelined surgeonfish (Acanthurus nubilus) is a saltwater fish of the family Acanthuridae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–90.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The bluelined surgeonfish is a surgeonfish (Acanthuridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 26 cm and has a grey-brown, disc-shaped body with fine, light-blue longitudinal lines and a yellowish tinge around the pectoral fin. As a reef-dweller it often hovers in groups above deeper outer-reef slopes and eats zooplankton and algae. A sharp, scalpel-like spine sits on each side of the tail base that can inflict a deep cut; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluelined surgeonfish?

The Bluelined surgeonfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bluelined surgeonfish live?

The Bluelined surgeonfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bluelined surgeonfish get?

The Bluelined surgeonfish grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Bluelined surgeonfish dangerous to humans?

The Bluelined surgeonfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Bluelined surgeonfish edible?

Yes, the Bluelined surgeonfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwlijn-doktersvis sourced
English name
Bluelined surgeonfish sourced
Scientific name
Acanthurus nubilus
Family
Acanthuridae
Other names
Bluelined surgeonfish; Pin-striped surgeon verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
90.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acanthurus

More from the family Acanthuridae

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