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.