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Palette surgeonfish

Paracanthurus hepatus
  • Class:
    Ray-finned fishes (Lat. Actinopterygii)
  • Order:
    Perch-likes (Lat. Perciformes)
  • Family:
    Surgeonfish (Lat. Acanthuridae)
  • Maximum size:
    31 cm TL
  • Habitat:
    Reef-associated; marine; depth range 2–40 m.
  • Climate:
    Tropical; 24°C –26°C; 30°N–25°S
  • Distribution:
    Indo-Pacific: East Africa, including the Mascarene Islands to Kiribati, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, and Samoa
  • Biology:
    Occur in clear, current-swept terraces of seaward reefs. When alarmed hide themselves tightly among the corals. Feed on zooplankton.