Relevant synonyms None Misidentification None Meristic formula D1, IX+24-25; A, III +22-23; P, 16-17; V, I + 5; GR 16+19  photo: Massimo Boyer

SHORT DESCRIPTION Deep and compressed body, its depth 2 times in SL. Small head, its profile straight or slightly convex. Small mouth with pronounced lips. 18-20 close-set teeth with denticulated edges. Eye in upper part of head. A lancet-like horizontal spine on the caudal peduncle which fits into a shallow groove. A continuous dorsal fin, its 5-9 spines are the longest. Anal fin originated below 7-9 dorsal spine. Caudal fin slightly emarginated. Pectoral and pelvic fins moderately pointed. color : Varies in color. Body grayish to bluish green with ten vertical narrow dark bars on the body, most of them posterior to pectoral fin. Fins are blue, the edges of dorsal and anal fins are light blue. size : 10-30 cm (max 40 cm) DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The color pattern distinguishes this species from all Mediterranean fish species. BIOLOGY / ECOLOGY Lives in small aggregations. Feeds mainly on algae. Observed as cleaner of parasite of turtles. Eggs and larvae planktonic. habitat : Shallow coral reefs and rocky substrate.

1st MEDITERRANEAN RECORD Elba Island, Italy 2008 (underwater observation). (Langenecke et al, 2015) DISTRIBUTION Worldwide : Both sides of the Atlantic, from Massachusetts, USA to Brazil in the western side and Senegal on the eastern Side. Mediterranean : Was observed at Elba Island, Italy. ESTABLISHMENT SUCCESS Very rare. Only a single specimen was observed in the Mediterranean. MODE OF INTRODUCTION Human transport, Aquarium release or via Gibraltar. IMPORTANCE TO HUMANS None.

KEY REFERENCES Langeneck, J., Boyer, M., De Cecco, P.G., Luciani, C., Marcelli, M and Vacchi, M. 2015. First record of Acanthurus chirurgus (Perciformes: Acanthuridae) in the Mediterranean Sea, with some distribution notes on Mediterranean Acanthurids.Mediterranean Marine Science 16(2), 427-431. Randall, J.E. 2002. Acanthuridae. Surgoenfishes. In: Carpenter, K.E. (ed.) The living ressources of Western Central Atlantic. Vol. 3. Part 2.(Opistognathidae to Molidae), sea turtles and marine mammals. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes and The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Special publication 5. FAO, Rome. 1801-1805 pp. FEEDBACK / COMMENTS TO AUTHORS

Last update of the species sheet: January 2017 ©ciesm 2002