Convict surgeonfish

Acanthurus triostegus

During the spawning season, the eggs and sperm released into the water are eaten by eagle rays, which are often found in the spawning grounds at this time.

Red List

Least Concern

Adult convict surgeonfish live in lagoons and reefs with rocky substrates. Juveniles are also frequently found in tide pools. When foraging, they tend to stay near freshwater inflows, where they graze on filamentous algae growing on the rocks. They only occasionally form larger shoals. During the spawning season, the eggs and sperm released into the water are eaten by eagle rays, which are frequently found in the spawning grounds at this time.

Taxonomy

surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), true surgeonfish (Acanthurus, around 40 species)

Habitat

lagoons and coral reefs down to a depth of 90 metres

Behaviour and ecology

forms very large shoals of up to 1,000 fish to defend good feeding grounds against other fish; when there is sufficient food available, the shoals disperse

Diet

algae and phytoplankton