Ecology of Acanthurus chirurgus
 
Main Ref. Randall, J.E., 1967
Remarks Inhabits shallow reefs or rocky areas. Found in loose aggregations (Ref. 9710). Mainly diurnal. Ingests sand when feeding on algae (Ref. 13442). The spine on both sides of the caudal peduncle may inflict painful wounds (Ref. 5217). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115. Also cleaned by Thalassoma noronhanum observed at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago off northeastern Brazil (Ref. 36301), by Elacatinus figaro observed off the coast of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil (Ref. 40102), and by Pomacanthus paru observed at the reefs of the Abrolhos Archipelago, off eastern Brazil (Ref. 40094). Predominantly inhabits forereefs (Ref. 128694). Showed selection for sand and chlorophytes (Ref. 55789). Roving herbivore (Ref. 57616). Also Ref. 33499. Exhibits facultative feeding. Group of this species was observed to be feeding on a tuna head, possibly Euthynnus sp., at a depth of 4.5 m. It is common in this diving site to see fish flesh as it's typically used in fishing and diving activities as bait to attract fish and sharks (Ref. 122732).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Acanthurus chirurgus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Hard Bottom: rocky;
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats Coral Reefs: reef slope/drop-offs;
Special habitats Ref. Harper, L.M., J.S. Lefcheck, R. Whippo, M.S. Jones, Z. Foltz and J.E. Duffy, 2022

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with Cleaned by Pederson's cleaner shrimp, Periclimenes pedersoni, as observed on the coral reefs in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles (Ref. 36810).
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type plants/detritus+animals (troph. 2.2-2.79)
Feeding type Ref.
Feeding habit grazing on aquatic plants
Feeding habit Ref. Randall, J.E., 1967
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 2.09 0.05 2.00 0.02 Troph of juv./adults from 2 studies.
From individual food items 2.74 0.28 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Randall, J.E., 1967
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. cnidaria)
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