Whitespotted surgeonfish
📖 Overview
Occurs in surge zone of clear seaward reefs . Benthopelagic ; mainly oceanic and found schooling in shallow depths over reef flats subject to surge or currents . Browses on filamentous and calcareous algae. Forms schools.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27 - 30; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 23 - 26. Preserved color is brown; spotted, white spots usually bordered with dark brown (may help conceal it in turbulent water that is often filled with small bubbles). Pelvic fins bright yellow. Each side of caudal peduncle with a single, sharp, forward-pointing erectile spine. Gill rakers on anterior row: 21-24; gill rakers on posterior row: 19-23.: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Whitespotted surgeonfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Whitespotted surgeonfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Whitespotted surgeonfish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 10 m . Tropical; 30°N - 30°S, 52°E - 140°W north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia and Rapa.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Whitespotted 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) | 90 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Whitespotted surgeonfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Mustard Surgeonfish · Mustard Tang · Spotband Surgeonfish · Spotted Surgeonfish · Spotted Tang · White-spotted Surgeon · White-spotted Surgeonfish · whitespotted surgeonfish |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix cirurgià taques blanques |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Hvidplettet Kirurgfisk |
| 🌍FIJ | Balagi · Ika via · Qwaraga ni viwa · Tabacenitoga |
| 🇫🇷French | Chirurgien moucheté · Chirurgien-pintade |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce chirurgo a macchie bianche · Pesce chirurgo macchie bianche |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Gomaniza · ゴマニザ |
| 🌍MAH | Wotwot |
| 🌍MSA | Botana mutiara |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cirurgião-de-pintas-brancas |
| 🌍SMO | Maogo |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pez Cirujano de Puntos Blancos |
| 🌍TAH | api |
| 🌍TGL | Labahita · Surahan |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 斑點刺尾鯛 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harpurus guttatus | Forster | 1801 | Synonym |
| Hepatus guttatus | Forster | 1801 | Synonym |
| Rhombotides guttatus | Forster | 1801 | Synonym |
| Teuthis guttatus | Forster | 1801 | Synonym |
| Zabrasoma guttatus | Forster | 1801 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 8 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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