Zebrasoma rostratum
Zebrasoma rostratum (Günther, 1875)
Longnose surgeonfish
Zebrasoma rostratum
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/D. Terver


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Family:  Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Acanthurinae
Max. size:  21 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Line, Marquesas, Society, and Tuamoto islands to Pitcairn Group (Ducie Islands).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-28; Anal soft rays: 19-24. Colour dark brown to nearly black (in life with faint irregular longitudinal bluish lines following scale rows). Snout protruding. Body depth 1.9 to 2.1 times in SL. Lower teeth with 5 denticulations, the central one twice as large as adjacent ones (Ref 9808).
Biology:  Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 33204). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Its small and numerous pharyngeal teeth suggest a diet that consists mainly of filamentous algae (Ref. 33204).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 07 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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