Acanthurus pyroferus (Mimic surgeonfish)
Identification
Brown color, black band from the chin to the gill cover and an orange patch above the pectoral fin base, yellow ends on the tail fin and pectoral fins.
Status
Fairly common.
Habitat
Seychelles to the Marquesan islands, Indonesia, Philippines, Micronesia to French Polynesia, Southwest Japan to Australia and New Caledonia. It has been replaced by Acanthurus tristis from the Maldives, and the Chagos islands to Bali. Lagoons and seaward reefs in a depth range of 4-60 meters.
Reproduction
Reproduction by spawning and fertilization shortly after.
Size
Up to 25cm.
Prey / Predation
It feeds on detritus and sediment.
Special features
Juveniles mimic Centropyge species (in Guam, juveniles mimic C. flavissimus but in Palau where this species is absent, they mimic C. vrolikii).
