Sailfin tang

Eastern sailfin surgeonfish ( zebrasoma veliferum )

The Eastern sailfin surgeonfish ( zebrasoma veliferum ) is a species of the family Acanthuridae ( Acanthuridae ). He lives in the western tropical Pacific from southern Japan to Indonesia, Micronesia, to Hawaii, the Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia and the Tuamotu Archipelago and settled there preferred coral- rich lagoons and outer reefs. It can be observed in water depths from five to 30 meters. In the Indian Ocean it is replaced by the Western sailfin surgeonfish ( zebrasoma desjardinii ).

Features

As all members of the surgeonfish has a laterally flattened body, which can reach a length of up to 40 centimeters and the Eastern sailfin surgeonfish. In the dark gray brown colored flanks run vertical white stripes. The dark zones between the white horizontal bands are provided with fine vertical yellow bands. The head can be spotted. His large, sail -like dorsal fin is supported by four to five hard jets and 29 to 33 soft rays, the anal fin of three hard jets and 23 to 26 soft rays. Both fins are set up during the Imponiergehabes. In the solitary and territorial juveniles both fins are particularly high and can be reduced later. Full-grown Eastern Sail -fin surgeonfish live in pairs.

The Eastern sailfin surgeonfish has a terminal mouth that is slightly tapered. He eats preferred substrate for growing macroalgae. In comparison to other members of the genus Zebrasoma it has fewer and larger Pharyngealzähne.