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  • English Name : Convict surgeonfish
  • Local Name : Raabulhaa
  • Size : Max. 27 cm
  • Family : ACANTHURIDAE
  • Order : Perciformes
  • Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 9 spines and 23 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 20 rays. Pectoral fin with 2 spines and 13 rays. A compressed body with a small mouth. First dorsal spine short, about one third of second dorsal spine. First anal spine short. Pectoral fin shorter than head. A lancet-like spine on caudal peduncle, which folds into a deep horizontal groove.
  • Colour: Greenish grey dorsally, shading to white below, with six narrow black bars on head and body.
  • Habitat and Biology: An abundant inshore reef species which feeds on filamentous algae. Often seen in
    large feeding schools; young common in tidepools.
  • Distribution: Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific.
  • Remarks: Acanthurus triostegus is a very common species in the Maldives. This species is of little interest among aquarists.