Family : Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes) , subfamily: Acanthurinae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Whitecheek surgeonfish
Fish Name : Acanthurus nigricans
Max size : 21.3 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 2334)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 1 - 67 m
Climate : tropical; 21 - 29°C; 30°N - 24°S
Global Importance : fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.28; Tmax=34)Distribution : Eastern Indian Ocean: known only from Cocos-Keeling Islands and Christmas Island. Pacific Ocean: Ryukyu Islands and Great Barrier Reef to the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia (excluding Rapa). This species has crossed the Eastern Pacific Barrier to the Revillagigedo Islands, Cocos Island, Galapagos Islands, and the coast of Mexico.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-31; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 26-28. A horizontally elongate white spot directly below eye. No orange band in outer part of dorsal fin. Caudal peduncle black except for yellow edge of socket and sheath of peduncular spine. Base of pectoral fin black (ref 9808).Gill rakers on anterior row:17-19, on posterior row:18-20.
Biology : Inhabit hard substrate areas of clear lagoon and seaward reefs from the lower surge zone to at least 67 m and feeds on filamentous algae. Monogamous (Ref. 52884, 48637). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Small juveniles shy among large corals (Ref. 48637). Territorial species. Common throughout Micronesia and hybridizes with the rare A. achilles. Size of metamorphosis from the postlarva stage to juvenile is 5.5 to 6 cm (Ref. 9267)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator : Randall, John E.
Main Ref : Myers, R.F.. 1991. (Ref. 1602)

India country information
Common Names : പല, പാള, Pala, Rykathi
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses