Palette Tang

Paracanthurus hepatus

Cobalt blue, laterally with unmistakable black “pallet” markings.
Juveniles, about 4 cm long, swim immediately above branched coral and flee between the coral branches upon imminent danger.

Size : 26 cm

Habitat : Prefers clear, current-rich outreefs, 2-40 m. Swims in small, loose groups 1-3 metres above the seabed and feeds on plankton.

Distribution : East Africa to SW Japan, Line Islands and Samoa.

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Actinopterygii

ORDER

:

Acanthuriformes

FAMILY

:

Acanthuridae

GENUS

:

Paracanthurus

SPECIES

:

Paracanthurus hepatus

Other Information

Population Status

Least Concern (LC)

PHOTO COLLECTION

Reference

  1. inaturalist.org
  2. Reef Fishes of the Indo-Pacific. Book by Matthias Bergbauer and Manuela Kirschner