DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

ZOOGEOGRAPHY

ECOLOGY

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

VALUE OF FISH RESOURCES

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

DANGEROUS MARINE FISHES

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

BIBLIOGRAPHY

SPECIES INDEX

CHAMORRO NAMES

ACANTHURIDAE (SURGEONFISHES)

Acanthurus mata Cuvier
(White-barred Surgeonfish; Hugupau)
SL: to 26 cm (photo: 22 cm SL, Oahu, Hawaii, 6 m)

This is one of three large, similar-appearing species of surgeonfishes occurring at Guam.  A. xanthopterus, the largest species in the genus, is distinguished by its yellow pectoral fins and less prominent light bar at the base of its tail.  It is common in turbid inner lagoons as well as channels and seaward reefs to depths of 30 m or more.  A. dussumieri has black spots rather than stripes on the blue area of its tail and is an uncommon inhabitant of outer reef slopes.  The White-barred Surgeonfish occurs in mixed-species schools in shallow, exposed lagoons as well as seaward reefs to depths of 26 m or more over sand patches as well as hard-bottoms.

INDO-PACIFIC: E. Africa to the Tuamotus and Hawaii, n. to s. Japan, s. to Lord Howe.