The white-chested surgeon (Acanthurus leucosternon), also known as powdery blue surgeon or powder blue surgical fish,- this is one of the brightest and most spectacular fish of the surgeonidae family (Acanthuridae). Its saturated content blue color scheme, contrast color black "hood" on the head and its bright yellow dorsal fin makes it one of the most attractive coral reef inhabitants.
✔ Bright and contrasting colors that make it unique
✔ Sharp "scalpels" near the tail for self-defense
✔ Active reef cleaner-eats seaweed
✔ Popular but demanding Aquarium fish
Let's take a closer look at this sea beauty!
Scientific classification
✔ The Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)
✔ Type: Chordal (Chordata)
✔ Class: Lucheperi pisces (Actinopterygii)
✔ Row: Perch-like (Perciformes)
✔ Family: To the surgeon (Acanthuridae)
✔ Gender: Acanthurus
✔ View: Acanthurus leucosternon (Bennett, 1833)
📌 Interesting!
Title leucosternon It is derived from Greek, where "λευκός” (leukos) means “white" and “στέρνον "(sternon) means “Breast", which indicates the characteristic white area under the snout.
Appearance and features
🔹 Body shape:
✔ Oval, flattened body on the sides
✔ Small pointed mouth with teeth that are adapted for eating algae
🔹 Color scheme:
✔ Bright blue body
✔ Black head that resembles a hood
✔ White throat and lower muzzle
✔ Yellow dorsal fin
✔ The caudal fin is white with dark edging
🔹 Sizes:
✔ Average length: 20-25 cm
✔ Maximum length: up to 38 cm
✔ Weight: up to 600 g
🔹 Protective mechanism:
✔ Has sharp spikes at the base of the tailused for self-defense purposes
✔ When threatened, it hides among the corals or gets darker
📌 Interesting!
Unlike some other surgeon fish, the coloration of Acanthurus leucosternon it doesn't change during your lifetime.
Range and habitat
🌍 Where does the white-chested surgeon live?
✅ Indian Ocean: from the east coast of Africa to Indonesia
✅ Maldives, Seychelles, Red Sea
🔹 Living environment:
✔ Mostly coral reefs
✔ Depths from 1 to 25 meters
✔ Likes places with strong currents, where there are a lot of algae
📌 Interesting!
The largest populations of the white-cheeked surgeon are found on the coral reefs of the Maldives.
Lifestyle and behavior
🔹 Social behavior:
✔ Usually lives in packs, but it can be a single file
✔ Very territorial, especially adults
🔹 Defense mechanisms:
✔ Uses tail "scalpels" when threatened
✔ Can change the color intensity under stress
🔹 Life span:
✔ In nature: 7-10 years old
✔ In captivity: up to 12 years old
📌 Interesting!
If the white-cheeked surgeon is kept in an aquarium with other surgical Fish, he may behave aggressively.
Nutrition and role in nature
🥗 What does the white-chested surgeon eat?
, Seaweed
Фи Phytoplankton
✅ Small invertebrates
🔹 Environmental role:
Important reef Cleaner-Regulates algae growth
✔ Creates balance in coral ecosystems
📌 Interesting!
Sometimes the white-breasted surgeon swallows pieces of coral to get the necessary minerals.
Reproduction and development
🔹 Method of reproduction:
✔ Spawning occurs at night or at dawn
✔ Females lay eggs that are fertilized in the open sea
🔹 Development:
✔ Larvae drift in the water for several weeks
✔ Juveniles settle among reefs after metamorphosis
📌 Interesting!
Unlike many Fish, the white-breasted surgeon spawns in large groups, which helps to increase the survival rate of fry.
The white-cheeked surgeon and the man
🔹 Popularity in aquariums:
✅ Often found in marine aquariums
✅ Needs minimum of 400 liters water
✅ Very sensitive to water quality
🔹 Industrial value:
✅ Caught for aquarium trade
✅ Rarely used in food
📌 Interesting!
The white - breasted surgeon is one of the most demanding aquarium fish, so keeping it requires experience.
Species conservation and environmental threats
🔹 Population status:
✅ Considered to be not under threat, but the number is decreasing
🔹 Main threats:
Ruinuvannya coral reef destruction
Zabrudnennya ocean pollution
Supramir overfishing
🔹 Security measures:
✔ Protected in many marine reserves
✔ Controlled catch for aquariums
📌 Interesting!
Due to the destruction of reefs in some regions, the number of white-cheeked surgeons has decreased by 30%.
Conclusion
🐠 The white-breasted surgeon (Acanthurus leucosternon) is not only a bright decoration of coral reefs, but also an important regulator of the ecosystem.
💡 How do you like this fish? Would you like to see it in the wild? 🌊✨
