Blackspot surgeonfish
📖 Overview
Occurs in clear seaward reef slopes, below 15 m, usually below 30 m . Adults mainly on deep coastal reef slopes and outer reef walls . Found singly or in pairs . Feeds on algal film on bare rocks . Juveniles found in shallow protected reefs, usually between soft coral, in 0.2-3 m depth .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26 - 28; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 25 - 26. Body brown; a round black spot at upper gill opening; dark blue line just below the bases of dorsal and anal fins. Dorsal fin with soft part having longer base than spinous part. Minute scales. Gill rakers in anterior row 19-23, posterior 22-24. A dark brown area surrounding the caudal spine. Large males develop highly convex foreheads that extend beyond the mouth . : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blackspot surgeonfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 6 - 50 m , usually 30 - ? m . Tropical; 23°C - 29°C ; 30°N - 24°S, 32°E - 179°E West Pacific: Mozambique (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
algal film on bare rocks (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blackspot surgeonfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 96 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blackspot surgeonfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Bariene Surgeonfish · Black-spot surgeonfish · Eye-spot Surgeon · Eye-spot Surgeonfish · Eyespot Surgeonfish · Roundspot Surgeonfish · pencilled surgeonfish |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix cirurgià tropical |
| 🌍CES | bodlok bahamský |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Øjeplettet kirurgfisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Rammkopf-Doktorfisch |
| 🌍FIJ | Balagi · Balagi nawa · Balagi titobu |
| 🇫🇷French | Chirurgien à ocelle |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce chirurgo di Lesson |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Kanranhagi · カンランハギ |
| 🌍MSA | Debam · Dengkis |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cirurgião-rainha |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pez Cirujano de Punto Negro |
| 🌍TGL | Labahita |
| 🌍THA | ปลาขี้ตังเบ็ดแต้มดำ |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Blackspot surgeonfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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