| Acanthurus coeruleus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Acanthuridae |
| Genus: | Acanthurus |
| Species: | A. coeruleus |
| Binomial name | |
| Acanthurus coeruleus Bloch & Schneider, 1801. |
|
Acanthurus coeruleus (also known as the Atlantic blue tang surgeonfish or the Atlantic blue tang) is a surgeonfish found commonly in the Atlantic Ocean.
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Although the body of the reef fish can vary in shade from light to dark blue, the dorsal, anal and caudal fins are golden blue. As juveniles, the edges on their dorsal and anal fins and the rings around their eyes are purple-blue, blue or blue-green. Juveniles may also be larger than adults and are called Atlantic yellow tang surgeonfish until they become adults. Their colors change during growth from a yellow juvenile, yellow tailed blue subadult and the blue adult phase.
Acanthurus coeruleus is common off of Florida, the Bahamas, and other places in the Caribbean sea, including Bonaire. Blue Tangs are very common in Belize and especially Ambergris Caye. They are also common in the Gulf of Mexico. They are also found south to Brazil and north to New York and eat krill.
The fish is not under human threat.
The Atlantic Blue Tang is caught for commercial fishing, but maintains little importance to Caribbean industry. It is also used, though rarely, as bait.[1]
The fish is at low value, giving off a pungent stench. Ciguatera poisoning may occur if the flesh is consumed. The adult fish's caudal spine is sharp, and is only out when the fish experiences excitement of some form. These fins can cut very deep into human skin and have been known to result in infections, mainly characterized by swelling and discoloration. Pain from such infections can last for long periods of time, sometimes for hours. Some species of the genus Acanthurus are even thought to possess poison glands on their caudal spines.[1]