Acanthurus gahhm is a species of fish in the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes. Its common name is black surgeonfish.[1] It is endemic to the western Indian Ocean, where it occurs in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and Socotra.[1]
| Acanthurus gahhm | |
|---|---|
Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Acanthuriformes |
| Family: | Acanthuridae |
| Genus: | Acanthurus |
| Species: | A. gahhm |
| Binomial name | |
| Acanthurus gahhm (Forsskål, 1775) | |
This fish reaches up to 50 centimeters in length. It is oval in shape and laterally compressed. Like other surgeonfishes, it swims with its pectoral fins. The caudal fin has a crescent shape. The mouth is small and pointed. The body is black to dark brown, with a white ring around the base of the tail and a yellow stripe around the eyes. The pectoral fins are tipped with yellow.[2]
This is a demersal fish. It lives on reefs and in lagoons and other sandy areas up to 40 meters deep.[3]
This species is omnivorous, feeding on algae, zooplankton and other small invertebrates, and detritus. It is active during the day and may swim in groups or remain solitary.[4]
This species is kept in aquaria and harvested for food.[1]
| Taxon identifiers |
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