Dr. Paddy Ryan, USA
Info
Kittlitz, 1834
Acanthurus pyroferus or the Mimic Surgeonfish is one of the easiest surgeonfish of the Acanthurus species to care for. Though it might aggressive towards other surgeons it behaves peaceful towards other tank mates.
The name Mimicry Surgeonfish alludes to the fact that juveniles of this species mimic dwarf angelfish. Depending on the region they are born in, juveniles imitate dwarf angels as Centropyge eiblii, C. flavissimus, C. herald and C. vrolikii.
The mimicry is supposed to help the juvenile Mimic Surgeonfish to escape potential predators which have learnt that the dwarf angels are too quick and too smart for them.
Adult Acanthurus pyroferus all look the same.
In the marine ornamental fish trade the Mimic Surgeonfish is sometimes offered as Acanthurus chronixis which it is not (c.f. entry on Acanthurus chronixis-pyroferus)
Specimen sold under the name Acanthurus chronixis are mostly juvenile Acanthurus pyroferus imitating C. vrolikii.
Synonyms:
Acanthurus armiger Valenciennes, 1834
Acanthurus celebicus Bleeker, 1853
Acanthurus fuscus Steindachner, 1861
Hepatus celebicus (Bleeker, 1853)
Hepatus pyriferus (Kittlitz, 1834)
Hepatus pyroferus (Kittlitz, 1834)
Rhombotides celebicus (Bleeker, 1853)
Classification: Biota > Animalia (Kingdom) > Chordata (Phylum) > Vertebrata (Subphylum) > Gnathostomata (Superclass) > Pisces (Superclass) > Actinopterygii (Class) > Perciformes (Order) > Acanthuridae (Family) > Acanthurus (Genus) > Acanthurus pyroferus (Species)
The surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), popular in marine aquaristics, are also called surgeonfishes.
They have horn-like blades in front of the tail root, they use as mainly defensive weapon (defense) against predators, but this sharp weapon is also used in fights among themselves.
Deep cuts in the body of opponents can cause permanent injuries, but often death occurs immediately.
If surgeonfishes are to be kept in pairs in an aquarium, fights between the fishes can be the order of the day, we could observe this several times with the very popular Hawaiian surgeonfish (Zebrasoma flavescens).
The scalpel-like blades can cause deep cuts, this is also true for the careless aquarist who wants to touch or catch the fish with unprotected hands.
Another problem can occur if one wants to catch surgeonfish with a landing net and transfer them after catching, the horn blade can easily get caught in the net.
Caution: Careless handling of the animal can cause deep cuts!
Acanthurus pyroferus or the Mimic Surgeonfish is one of the easiest surgeonfish of the Acanthurus species to care for. Though it might aggressive towards other surgeons it behaves peaceful towards other tank mates.
The name Mimicry Surgeonfish alludes to the fact that juveniles of this species mimic dwarf angelfish. Depending on the region they are born in, juveniles imitate dwarf angels as Centropyge eiblii, C. flavissimus, C. herald and C. vrolikii.
The mimicry is supposed to help the juvenile Mimic Surgeonfish to escape potential predators which have learnt that the dwarf angels are too quick and too smart for them.
Adult Acanthurus pyroferus all look the same.
In the marine ornamental fish trade the Mimic Surgeonfish is sometimes offered as Acanthurus chronixis which it is not (c.f. entry on Acanthurus chronixis-pyroferus)
Specimen sold under the name Acanthurus chronixis are mostly juvenile Acanthurus pyroferus imitating C. vrolikii.
Synonyms:
Acanthurus armiger Valenciennes, 1834
Acanthurus celebicus Bleeker, 1853
Acanthurus fuscus Steindachner, 1861
Hepatus celebicus (Bleeker, 1853)
Hepatus pyriferus (Kittlitz, 1834)
Hepatus pyroferus (Kittlitz, 1834)
Rhombotides celebicus (Bleeker, 1853)
Classification: Biota > Animalia (Kingdom) > Chordata (Phylum) > Vertebrata (Subphylum) > Gnathostomata (Superclass) > Pisces (Superclass) > Actinopterygii (Class) > Perciformes (Order) > Acanthuridae (Family) > Acanthurus (Genus) > Acanthurus pyroferus (Species)
The surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), popular in marine aquaristics, are also called surgeonfishes.
They have horn-like blades in front of the tail root, they use as mainly defensive weapon (defense) against predators, but this sharp weapon is also used in fights among themselves.
Deep cuts in the body of opponents can cause permanent injuries, but often death occurs immediately.
If surgeonfishes are to be kept in pairs in an aquarium, fights between the fishes can be the order of the day, we could observe this several times with the very popular Hawaiian surgeonfish (Zebrasoma flavescens).
The scalpel-like blades can cause deep cuts, this is also true for the careless aquarist who wants to touch or catch the fish with unprotected hands.
Another problem can occur if one wants to catch surgeonfish with a landing net and transfer them after catching, the horn blade can easily get caught in the net.
Caution: Careless handling of the animal can cause deep cuts!
