Acanthuridae:Surgeons & Tangs of

Hawaii

By: Sara, James, and Kelsee

Sharp, blade-like caudal “scalpel” ahead of tail

Many colors (Bright and dull) Wide, oval shaped body Specialized movement of fins

Characteristics

Convict Tang: Acanthurus

triostegus Hawaiian Name: Manini

Identification: Light grey color

with white-ish underneath

6 vertical lines Up to 8 inches

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/AnimalDetails.aspx?enc=wlXqL0lOsSyH8jH2Mckr9g==

http://www.hawaiisfishes.com/books/hanauma_bay_guide/acanthurus_triostegus.htm

Orangeband Surgeonfish:

Acanthurus olivaceus

Na‘ena‘e

Bluespine Unicornfish: Naso unicornis

Kala

http://directoryofkauai.net/blog/hawaiian-reef-fish-and-orangeband-surgeonfishhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/barryfackler/4500256015/

http://www.ozanimals.com/Fish/Bluespine-Unicornfish/Naso/unicornis.htmlhttp://www.hayrettindagci.com/ansiklopedi/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_8

Brown Surgeonfish:

Acanthurus nigrofuscus Ma'i'i'i

http://www.hawaiisfishes.com/fish_of_month/past_fom/fom_05_03.htm

http://saltwater.tropicalfishandaquariums.com/Tangs/Acanthurus-leucopareius.asp

White Bar Surgeonfish:

Acanthurus leucopareius

Maikoikohttp://week.divebums.com/2008/Jul28-2008/index.html

http://www.coldwaterimages.com/green_sea_turtle.html

GoldringSurgeonfish

:Ctenochaetus

strigosusKole http://www.ryanphotographic.com/acanthuridae.htm

Orangespine

Unicornfish:Naso lituratusUmaumalei

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/htms/kalafish/fish_pops/acanthur/tang12.htm http://orange-spine-unicornfish.wikispaces.com/

Movement

Constantly use pectoral fins to swim.

Steering is allowed by the using the pectoral fin.

While swimming the blades on its body lie in grooves

Habitats

In the recruit stage, yellow tangs dwell in mid-depth high coral habitats.

As adults, yellow tangs live in shallow pavement zones during the day.

Primarily diurnal species.

Feeding Habits

Tangs and Surgeonfish are known for being primarily algae feeders.

They also feed on shrimp and mussels. Can feed on coral.

Schooling Behavior

Usually schooling

Rarely solitary

http://www.explorebiodiversity.com/Hawaii/BiodiversityForgotten/Wildlife/Fish/Pics/Acanthuridae-Yellow-Tang-2-.jpg

http://www.cherba.com/ages/images/tang.jpg

Mating Behavior

Pelagic spawners

Promiscuous (Jonna 2003)

Sequential hermaphroditism

http://www.unepscs.org/images/Fish_Larvae/Acanthuridae.jpg

http://www.fisheggsandlarvae.com/LIIIE7%20Acanthuridae_files/image001.jpg

Sexual Dimorphism

Very few differences

Size difference

Coloration

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/flyyyguy/Fish/tangs15.jpg

Defense-Physical

Scalpels Located at base of tail Often emphasized by color

Coloration

http://glendalecommunitycollege.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/17-prionurus-kdp-811.jpg

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/collections/contributors/Grzimek_fish/Acanthuroidei/v04_id208_con_scalpel/medium.jpg

Defense-Behavioral

Intraspecific competition Defending territories Marked by color change Circling behavior Use of scalpels

http://www.oceans5dive.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/unicornfish.jpg

Observing Marine Protected Areas Effects on the Yellow Tang, Zebrasoma flavescens.

Took place on the west side of Hawaii Based on the lifestyle of the yellow tang it is

suitable that they were used in the experiment The age of a tang can easily be identified

based on size Tangs are desirable for aquariums

http://fantasticaquariums.com/content/yellow-tang

Location Black regions are long

term protected areas Faded regions are

fisheries replenishment areas.

(Williams et al. 2009)

L Long term protected area

O Open to fishingF Fisheries replenishment

areaB Boundary Site

Methods

Populations observed 4-6 times per year Monitoring stations in medium-depth reefs Sizes were defined as

3-5cm recruits 5-6cm juvenile

For adult fish the monitoring station was placed in the shallow pavement

(Williams et al. 2009)

Methods cont.

Biomass of the fish was obtained through monthly catch information.

Yellow tang density was then determined for each region.

T-test was used.

(Williams et al. 2009)

Results

From 1976-1985, reported catches were 10,000. This increased to 200,000 in a decade! This is just for the yellow tang!

At FRAs densities of yellow tang had increased up to 72%.

Areas open to fishing have declined in density up to 45%.

(Williams et al. 2009)

Discussion

MPAs are clearly effective. Yellow tangs have been primarily targeted as

juveniles and recruits. Spillover from the MPAs is clearly present. The yellow tang can live for 40 years so this

study covered a max of ¼ of their lives.

Rapid evolutionary divergences in reef fishes of the family

Acanthuridae (Perciformes: Teleostei).

Purpose

Materials and Methods Collection PCR Analysis

Effect of the surgeonfish Ctenochaetus straitus on the processes of sediment

transport and deposition on a coral reef

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Pix%20Of%20The%20Day%20Marine/POTD%20SW%20Arch%2036-40/swpotdarch38.htm

http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2004/11/

Clements, K.D., R. D. Gray, and J. H. Choat. 2003. Rapid evolutionary divergences in reef fishes of the family Acanthuridae (Perciformes: Teleostei). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 26 (2): 190-201. Available: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1055790302003251

Jonna, R. 2003. "Acanthuridae“. Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 28, 2013. Available: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Acanthuridae/

Krone, R., Paster, M., and Schuhmacher, H. 2010. Effect of the suegeonfish Ctenochaetus straitus (Acanthuridae) on the processes of sediment transport and deposition on a coral reef in the Red Sea. Functional Ecology 57: 215-221.

Williams I.D., W.J. Walsh, J.T. Claisse, B.N. Tissot, K.A. Stamoulis. Impacts of a Hawaiian marine protected area network on the abundance and fishery sustainability of the yellow tang, Zebrasoma flavescens. Biological Conservation 142: 1066-1073. Available: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320709000536

"What Are Surgeonfish." Essortment. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2013.

Literature Cited