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Orangespot Surgeonfish

Acanthurus olivaceus

Description:

The Orangespot Surgeonfish is also known as the Orange Shoulder Tang, Orangeband Surgeonfish, and Orange-epaulette Surgeonfish. Each of these names point to the distinct and interesting feature that makes this species stand out, the bright orange horizontal band with a broad blue edge on its side. This fish is recognized by its orange spot or band, but it also goes through a fascinating color change as it matures. As a juvenile is solid yellow with just the slightest hint of blue edging the anal and dorsal fins. The adult looks quite different. The front half of a mature specimen is a light gray and the back half is a dark gray-blue, and its caudal fin becomes lyre shaped. In each case it still retains its shoulder marking, but the orange spot does becomes more brilliant with age.

Habitat:

Hanauma Bay

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1 Comment

Allen Hoof
Allen Hoof 9 years ago

Thanks for posting this. It brings back fond memories of my scuba-diving days several decades ago.

joanbstanley
Spotted by
joanbstanley

Hawaii, USA

Spotted on Oct 11, 2014
Submitted on Dec 1, 2014

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