Orangespot surgeonfish
📖 Overview
Inhabit seaward reefs, in areas of bare rock or mixed rubble and sand, from 9 to at least 46 m depth; juveniles inhabit protected bays and lagoons, singly or in small groups in as little as 3 m . Benthopelagic . Adults occur singly or in schools and feed on surface film of detritus, diatoms, and fine filamentous algae covering sand and bare rock . Rarely poisonous .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23 - 25; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 22 - 24. Body of adult dark grayish brown; juveniles yellow; posterior to upper end of gill opening is a bright orange horizontal band, with purplish black border. Head and anterior half of body usually abruptly paler than the posterior half. Anterior gill rakers 24-28; posterior 23-27. Large adult males (about 17 cm) with more definite convexity of snout profile. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Orangespot surgeonfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 46 m , usually 9 - 46 m . Tropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 35°N - 32°S, 95°E - 139°W north to Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.
🌿 Ecology
surface film of detritus, diatoms, and fine filamentous algae covering sand and bare rock (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Orangespot 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 | 18.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 109 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Orangespot 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 | Orange band surgeonfish · Orange-blotch Surgeon · Orange-blotch Surgeonfish · Orange-epaulette surgeonfish · Orange-spot Surgeon-fish · Orange-spot Surgeonfish · Orangeband Surgeonfish, Orangespot surgeonfish · Orangebar Surgeonfish · Orangeblotch Surgeonfish · Orangeshoulder Tang · Orangespot Surgeon-fish · Orangespot surgeonfish · orangespot tang · Gendarme Fish · Olive Surgeonfish · Orange Epoulette Surgeon · Orange Spot Tang · Orange-ear Surgeonfish · Orangeband Surgeonfish |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Dila |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix cirurgià de taca taronja |
| 🌍CES | bodlok oranžovobodý |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Orangeplettet kirurgfisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Orangefleck-Doktorfisch |
| 🌍FIJ | Balagi · Dridri · Jila · Tila |
| 🇫🇷French | Chirurgien olive, Chirurgien à épaulettes · Chirurgien à épaulettes orange · Chirurgien à épaulettes, Poisson gendarme · Chirurgien Olive · Chirurgien à Epaulettes · Poisson Gendarme |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce chirurgo epaulette arancione · Pesce chirurgo ferito · Pesce chirurgo spalla arancione · Pesce chirurgo tagliato |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Montsukihagi · モンツキハギ |
| 🌍MAH | Ael |
| 🌍MSA | Debam · Dengkis · Botana coklat |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cirurgião-de-mancha-laranja |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Оливковый хирург |
| 🌍SMO | Pone-apasama |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pez Cirujano de Banda Naranja |
| 🌍TAH | havari |
| 🌍TGL | Dabahita · Labahita · Samarel · Surahan |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 一字刺尾鯛 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acanthurus chrysosoma | Bleeker | 1857 | Synonym |
| Acanthurus eparai | Lesson | 1831 | Synonym |
| Acanthurus eparei | Lesson | 1830 | Synonym |
| Acanthurus erythromelas | Swainson | 1839 | Synonym |
| Acanthurus humeralis | Valenciennes | 1835 | Synonym |
| Acanthurus olicaceous | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Ctenodon erythromelas | Swainson | 1839 | Synonym |
| Harpurus paroticus | Forster | 1844 | Synonym |
| Hepatus chrysosoma | Bleeker | 1857 | Synonym |
| Hepatus olivaceus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Rhombotides olivaceus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Rhombotides xanthosoma | Bleeker | 1865 | Heterotypic |
| Teuthis olivaceus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Orangespot surgeonfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 10 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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