Acanthurus polyzona

Acanthurus polyzona
Conservation status
	; Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Acanthuridae
Genus:	Acanthurus
Species:	A. polyzona
Binomial name
	Acanthurus polyzona; (Bleeker, 1868)[2]
Synonyms[2]
	Acanthurus triostegus polyzona (Bleeker, 1868); Rhombotides polyzona Bleeker, 1868;

Acanthurus polyzona is a tropical fish found in coral reefs situated in the western Indian Ocean.[3] It was first described in 1868 by the Dutch ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker who gave it the name Rhombotides polyzona; it was later transferred to the genus Acanthurus, becoming Acanthurus polyzona.[2] It is commonly known as the black-barred surgeonfish[4] or zebra tang.[5]

Description

Acanthurus polyzona is a laterally-flattened fish, roughly the shape of an almond, and can grow to a length of about 20 cm (8 in). The head is short with a pointed snout and a terminal mouth with thick lips. The eyes are large and the two pairs of nostrils are located immediately in front of the eyes. The overall colour of this fish is a very pale yellow, rather more olivish-grey dorsally and more silvery-white ventrally. Superimposed on this pale background are nine broad black bands, narrowing slightly towards the belly; the first band passes through the eye, the second extends from the front of the dorsal fin to the base of the pectoral fins, and the eight and ninth bands are on the caudal peduncle. On either side of the peduncle is a small, retractable spine.[6]

The only fish with which it is likely to be confused is the convict tang Acanthurus triostegus; that species has a yellower background colour and just six vertical, rather more slender black bands. It is more widely distributed, and even within the zebra tang's restricted range, the convict tang is the commoner of the two.[6]

Distribution

Acanthurus polyzona has a rather restricted distribution in the tropical western Indian Ocean, its range including Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion and the Comoro Islands. It lives in shallow reef habitats,[3] in lagoons and on outer reef slopes, over sandy, rocky or coral seabeds at depths down to about 15 m (50 ft).[6]

Ecology

The zebra tang is diurnal and feeds on algae, especially filamentous algae. It often associates with shoals of convict tangs, taking advantage of the protection given by numbers. The juveniles, which are similar to the adults in markings but rather more elongated, associate with young convict tangs. The reproduction of this fish has not been studied, however the growth rate of young fish is fast so that there may be a doubling of a population in as little as 15 months.[6]

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References

Russell, B.; McIlwain, J.; Choat, J.H.; Abesamis, R.; Clements, K.D.; Myers, R.; Rocha, L.A.; Nanola, C. & Stockwell, B. (2012). "Acanthurus polyzona". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T177984A1511423. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T177984A1511423.en.
Bailly, Nicolas (2020). "Acanthurus polyzona (Bleeker, 1868)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
Acanthurus polyzona at www.fishbase.org.
Common names for Acanthurus polyzona at www.fishbase.org.
Adams, Jake (21 June 2013). "The Zebra Tang has come to US and UK aquariums". Reef Builders. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
Bourjon, Philippe; Sittler, Alain-Pierre (16 February 2014). "Acanthurus polyzona" (in French). DORIS. Retrieved 6 August 2020.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

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[iucn-1] Russell, B.; McIlwain, J.; Choat, J.H.; Abesamis, R.; Clements, K.D.; Myers, R.; Rocha, L.A.; Nanola, C. & Stockwell, B. (2012). "Acanthurus polyzona". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T177984A1511423. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T177984A1511423.en.

[WoRMS-2] Bailly, Nicolas (2020). "Acanthurus polyzona (Bleeker, 1868)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 6 August 2020.

[Fishbase-3] Acanthurus polyzona at www.fishbase.org.

[4] Common names for Acanthurus polyzona at www.fishbase.org.

[5] Adams, Jake (21 June 2013). "The Zebra Tang has come to US and UK aquariums". Reef Builders. Retrieved 12 August 2020.

[Doris-6] Bourjon, Philippe; Sittler, Alain-Pierre (16 February 2014). "Acanthurus polyzona" (in French). DORIS. Retrieved 6 August 2020.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)