Cuvier's Surgeonfish

Body purplish gray when alive; grayish brown when preserved; a region of dull yellow in front of eye, a lesser extension posterior to lower part of eye; outer 1/3 of pectoral fin yellow, extreme distal part hyaline; dorsal and anal fins yellowish grey basally, dull yellow distally; caudal fin base whitish; caudal fin purplish. Anterior gill rakers 16-24, posterior 17-22. Caudal spine small.Description: Characterized further by having length of caudal spine 4.4-5.7 in head length; greatest depth of body 1.9-2.3 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25 - 27; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 23 - 25

Commonly occurs in protected deeper waters of bays & lagoons. Lives in various reef habitats, sand slopes (Ref. 48637). Juveniles inhabit shallow, protected, turbid inshore waters while adults prefer deeper areas of protected bays and lagoons, and outer reef areas. This schooling species feeds on diatoms, detritus film of sand, filamentous algae, hydroids, pieces of fish (Ref. 1602, 48637) and fleshy macroalgae (Ref. 5543). Probably the only surgeonfish that readily takes bait (Ref. 12484). Also Ref. 58534.

Live in various reef habitats, sand slopes and lagoons (Ref. 48637). Juveniles inhabit shallow, protected, turbid inshore waters while adults prefer deeper areas of protected bays and lagoons. Also in outer reef areas (Ref. 1602). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Schooling species, feed on diatoms, detritus film of sand, filamentous algae, hydroids, and pieces of fish (Ref. 1602, 48637). Probably the only surgeonfish that readily takes bait (Ref. 12484).

fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family