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Bluespotted bristletooth (Ctenochaetus marginatus) — Acanthuridae

Bluespotted bristletooth

Ctenochaetus marginatus
Family: Acanthuridae

The Bluespotted bristletooth (Ctenochaetus marginatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Acanthuridae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–18.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Bluespotted bristletooth is a bristletooth surgeonfish (Acanthuridae) from the Pacific Ocean. The species grows to about 27 cm and has a dark, disc-shaped body with fine, mobile bristle teeth with which it brushes algal film, diatoms and detritus from reef surfaces. The dark body bears fine blue spots. A sharp, scalpel-like spine sits on each side of the tail base that can inflict a cut; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluespotted bristletooth?

The Bluespotted bristletooth has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly black.

Where does the Bluespotted bristletooth live?

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

How big does the Bluespotted bristletooth get?

The Bluespotted bristletooth grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Bluespotted bristletooth dangerous to humans?

The Bluespotted bristletooth can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Bluespotted bristletooth edible?

Yes, the Bluespotted bristletooth is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwstip-borsteltand sourced
English name
Bluespotted bristletooth sourced
Scientific name
Ctenochaetus marginatus
Family
Acanthuridae
Other names
Blue-spotted bristletooth; Bluespotted surgeonfish; Striped-fin surgeonfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore 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 Ctenochaetus

More from the family Acanthuridae

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