Ringtail Surgeonfish, Acanthurus auranticavus Randall 1956


Other Names: Orange-socket Surgeonfish, Ring-tail Surgeon

An Orange-socket Surgeonfish, Acanthurus auranticavus, in Fiji, May 2016. Source: Mark Rosenstein / iNaturalist.org. License: CC by Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Summary:
A dark brown surgeonfish often with a diffuse orange brown area downward from the pectoral-fin base, a bright orange caudal spine socket, a white band around the caudal-fin base, and an orange blotch before and behind the pupil. Some individuals may develop a paler area on the back above the pectoral fin.

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2022, Acanthurus auranticavus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 25 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/5660

Ringtail Surgeonfish, Acanthurus auranticavus Randall 1956

More Info


Distribution

Northern Great Barrier Reef and reefs in the Coral Sea, and possibly further south to Lady Elliot Island, Queensland. Elsewhere the species occurs in the tropical, west Pacific.

Features

Dorsal fin IX,25-26; Anal fin III,23-24; Anterior gill rakers 20-23, posterior 24-28. Large caudal spine, 2.2-4.4 in head length

Etymology

The specific name auranticavus is from the Latin aurantius (= orange coloured) and cavus (= cavity) in reference to the orange caudal spine socket of this species.

Species Citation

Acanthurus auranticavus Randall 1956, Pacific Science 10(2): 159-235 figs 1-23 pls 1-3 [210, figs 2u, 19]. Type locality: Atulayan Island, Philippines.

Author

Bray, D.J. 2022

Resources

Atlas of Living Australia

Ringtail Surgeonfish, Acanthurus auranticavus Randall 1956

References


Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. 

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. 

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. 

Oxley, W.G., Ayling, A.M., Cheal, A.J. & Thompson, A.A. 2003. Marine surveys undertaken in the Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve, March-April 2003. Townsville : Australian Institute of Marine Science 59 pp. 

Oxley, W.G., Emslie, M., Muir, P. & Thompson, A.A. 2004. Marine surveys undertaken in the Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve, March 2004. Townsville : Australian Institute of Marine Science i-vii, 1-67 pp. 

Randall, J.E. 1956. A revision of the surgeon fish genus Acanthurus. Pacific Science 10(2): 159-235 figs 1-23 pls 1-3 

Randall, J.E. 2001. Surgeonfishes of Hawai'i and the World. Honolulu : Mutual Publishing and Bishop Museum Press 125 pp. 

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. 

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. 

Russell, B., Nanola, C., Choat, J.H., Stockwell, B., McIlwain, J., Clements, K.D., Rocha, L.A., Abesamis, R. & Myers, R. 2012. Acanthurus auranticavus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T177974A1508352. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T177974A1508352.en. Accessed on 06 May 2022.

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37437005

Conservation:IUCN Least Concern

Depth:1-20 m

Habitat:Reef associated

Max Size:45 cm TL

Species Image Gallery

Species Maps

CAAB distribution map