Powder blue tang
A blue surgeonfish from the Indian Ocean with a white chest.
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The powder blue tang (Acanthurus leucosternon), also known as the blue surgeonfish or powder-blue surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the family Acanthuridae. It is found in the Indian Ocean, inhabiting shallow, clear coastal waters associated with reefs. This species is notable for its striking blue coloration and is commonly sold in the marine aquarium industry, though it is moderately difficult to care for.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassActinopterygii
- DivisionTeleostei
- OrderAcanthuriformes
- FamilyAcanthuridae
- GenusAcanthurus
- SpeciesAcanthurus leucosternon
Named by E. T. Bennett, 1833
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Acanthurus leucosternon (CC BY-SA 4.0) · order, family and genus agree with WoRMS AphiaID 219628 (CC BY 4.0)
Conservation status
Least Concern (LC)
- LC▲ this species
- NT
- VU
- EN
- CR
- EW
- EX
Source: IUCN Red List assessment · GBIF copy of the Red List category
How big is it?
Largest length in the source, 0.23 m, next to a 1.8 m person.
Diagram: drawn by Codexery, schematic shapes to scale (not a likeness). Length: Wikipedia: Acanthurus leucosternon
Where the powder blue tang has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (2,115 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 9 inland records left out (institution coordinates). 1 isolated far-off record not drawn.
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Background
The powder blue tang has an oval, laterally compressed body that can reach an average length of 23 cm. Its sides are blue, the dorsal fin and base of the caudal fin are yellow, the head is black, and the mouth, throat area, anal and pelvic fins are white. The pectoral fins are transparent with yellow reflections. The intensity of its blue color indicates the fish's health.
It does not undergo color changes as it matures. This species is found in tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, inhabiting shallow and clear coastal waters always associated with a reef. It prefers flat top reefs and areas along seaward slopes. The powder blue tang is diurnal, solitary, territorial, and aggressive with other surgeonfish.
It is herbivorous, eating mostly benthic algae. When food is plentiful, it may feed in shoals, but in times of scarcity, it competes individually for food. It may use its surgeon's scalpel as a defensive weapon.
Did You Know?
- Its specific name leucosternon combines Greek words meaning 'white' and 'breast', referring to its white chest.
- The intensity of its blue color shows whether the fish is healthy or not.
More in Tangs & Rabbitfish
Elsewhere in Reef Aquarium Species
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Acanthurus leucosternon (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; order, family and genus checked against WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List assessment.
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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