Striated surgeonfish
📖 Overview
Inhabits reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of over 30 m. Occurs over coral , rock, pavement, or rubble substrates. May occur singly or in small to very large, often mixed-species aggregations . Feeds on surface film of blue-green algae and diatoms (making this species a key link in the ciguatera food chain) as well as on various small invertebrates.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27 - 31; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 24 - 28. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body deep and compressed, its depth 1.9-2.3 times in standard length or SL; mouth small, teeth numerous (> 30 in jaws of adults), movable, slender and elongate, with expanded incurved tips which are denticulate on the lateral margin (6 denticulations on upper and 4 on lower teeth); total gill rakers on first gill arch 27-36; a continuous unnotched dorsal fin with VIII,27-31; AIII,24-28; caudal fin lunate, concavity 3.7-6 times in SL; a lancet-like spine on caudal peduncle which folds into a deep horizontal groove; colour dark olive to yellowish brown with blue or blue-grey lengthwise lines on body and small orange spots on head and nape; dorsal and anal fins with about 5 lengthwise dark bluish bands; pectoral fins pale with brownish yellow rays; a small blackish spot at rear base of dorsal fin of juveniles and small adults .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Striated surgeonfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
In Tahiti, spawning starts near full moon with the formation of schools of several thousand fish at various depths. The fish remain almost motionless for between 1 to 3 hrs, then change their normal color to pale grey. About 4 or 5 fishes rise a few yards above main school and swim around each other discharging milt and eggs, then return to former place and replaced by another group to spawn.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 60 m , usually 6 - 30 m . Tropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 35°N - 34°S, 99°E - 77°W
🌿 Ecology
surface film of blue-green algae and diatoms (making this species a key link in the ciguatera food c
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Striated 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) | 121 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Striated 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 | Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish · Fine-lined Bristletooth · Orange-dotted Bristletooth · Striated surgeonfish · Striped Bristle-tooth · lined bristletooth · striped bristletooth |
| 🌍AFR | Gestreepte borseltand |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Juneh |
| 🌍BIS | blakpiko |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix cirurgià marró |
| 🌍CES | bodlok žíhaný |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Stribet Kirurgfisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Brauner Borstenzahn-Doktorfisch · Gestreifter Borstenzahn-Doktorfisch · Längsstreifen-Borstenzahndoktor |
| 🌍FIJ | Balagi · dridri |
| 🇫🇷French | Chirurgien Noir · Chirurgien strié · Chirurgien strié, Chirurgien noir |
| 🌍HEB | פגיונון חום |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce chirurgo striato |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Sazanamihagi · サザナミハギ |
| 🌍MAH | Tiebere |
| 🌍MSA | Debam · Dengkis |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Barbeiro Estriado · Cirurgião-estriado |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Полосатый ктенохет |
| 🌍SMO | Pala'ia |
| 🌍SOM | Kaxan |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Cirujano Estriado · Pez Cirujano Estriado |
| 🌍SWA | Kangaja · Pono |
| 🌍TAH | maito |
| 🌍TGL | Labahita · Surahan |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 漣紋櫛齒刺尾鯛 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acanthurus argenteus | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Acanthurus ctenodon | Valenciennes | 1835 | Synonym |
| Acanthurus flavoguttatus | Kittlitz | 1834 | Synonym |
| Acanthurus ketlitzii | Valenciennes | 1835 | Synonym |
| Acanthurus striatus | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Acronurus argenteus | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Ctenochaetus argenteus | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Ctenodon ctenodon | Valenciennes | 1835 | Synonym |
| Ctenodon cuvierii | Swainson | 1839 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Striated surgeonfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 48 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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