Orangespot Surgeonfish

About

The orange band surgeonfish (Acanthurus olivaceus) is one of the more instantly recognizable surgeonfishes in the Pacific, thanks to the vivid horizontal stripe that runs behind each eye on adults. A marking that earns it the alternate name orange epaulette surgeon. Juveniles look remarkably different, dressed in plain yellow, and the adult pattern only develops with maturity. In the wild, this species ranges across a huge stretch of the Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean, from Christmas Island out to Hawaii and the Tuamotu Islands, north to Japan and south to Lord Howe Island. Adults inhabit the exposed, wave-washed faces of outer reefs, typically over bare rock, rubble, and sand, while younger fish tend to stay tucked in the calmer waters of lagoons and bays. They graze on the thin films of detritus, diatoms, and fine algae that coat sandy and rocky substrates. A feeding style that makes them genuinely useful at keeping these surfaces tidy. Adults may roam singly or gather into schools. In the aquarium, they are considered a forgiving choice for keepers who can meet the space requirements, which are considerable given how large these fish get. Like all surgeonfishes, the scalpel-like spine at the base of the tail demands respectful handling.