Palette+Surgeon

The **//paracanthurus hepatus//** an Indo-Pacific surgeonfish. The palette surgeon has a royal blue body, yellow tail, and black 'palette' design and it grows to 30 centimeters (12in). This fish is seen in East Africa, Japan, Samoa, New Caledonia, and the Great Barrier Reef. The surgeonfish reachs sexual maturity at 9-12 months.

Palatte Surgeonfish (//**paracanthurus hepatus)**//
 * Domain: || Eukarya ||
 * Kingdom: || Animalia ||
 * Phylum: || Chordata ||
 * Class: || Actinopterygii ||
 * Order: || Perciformes ||
 * Family: || Acanthuridae ||
 * Genus: || Paracanthurus ||
 * Species: || p. hepatus ||


 * Habitat**

The palette surgeon can be found in tropical and sub-tropical coastal regions where temperatures are between 24 and 26 celsius. The surgeon is often seen in reefs of Japan, Samoa, and the Great Barrier Reef. Their habitat regions are either salt-water or marine. Being that they are marine fish, they inhabit tropical coral reefs in waters with strong currents and they move seasonally, occuring at higher latitudes when water temperatures allow. Common surgeonfish range between 30 north and south latitude and 32 east to 170 west longitude in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Abiotic and biotic factors: They live in the tropical regions with 24-26 celsius. They're environment is the marine reef. Palette surgeonfish live in pairs or small groups up to 10 or 12 individuals. Observed in loose aggregations 1 or 2 meters above the bottom. Juveniles and subadults typical in groups near isolated Pocillopora eydouxi coral heads and when alarmed hide themselves tightly among the branches. They feed on zooplankton and occasionally on algae.

Physical and behavioral adaptaions: They can be aggressive with other surgeonfish, especially another Pacific Blue. They also are constantly on the move and will need a larger tank for swimming space. Common surgeon are herbivorous. Unlike many marine fish, common surgeon rely only slightly on plankton. Fish of this species also feed on microalgae, other marine plants, and zooplankton.

Species Interactions

The palette surgeonfish is herbivorous, meaning that they graze on algae. Some other things that they feed on is detritus. Due to the fishes small mouth, surgeonfish can easily pick and remove algae from uneven surfaces. They eat the algae from sponges in their habitat and this benefits the sponges and indirectly preserves habitat for species dependent on the steady growth of sponges. One adaptation that the palette surgeon has is their small mouth and small teeth, they use their small teeth to pull the algae from rocks. The surgeonfish possess multiple anti-predator adaptations like their razor-sharp caudal spine which is venomous and can cause pain to small predators.

Reproduction

Males aggressively court female members of the school, leading to a quick upward spawning rush toward the surface of the water during which eggs and sperm are released. When fertilized these egss hatch within 24 hours. Each egg contains a droplet of oil for flotation. The female surgeonfish releases their eggs once a month and with each spawning event, female can release up to 40,000 eggs into the water column. The larvae develope quickly and feed in great numbers off shore. Sexual maturity is not measured by age but rather by size. Males generally reach sexual maturity around 11 cm in length. Females, however, do not reach sexual maturity until about 13 cm in length. There is pre-fertilization. And there is no parental involvement.

Scientific

The palette surgeonfish's meat has a very strong odor and that is why they are not popular among the fish eaters. These fishes are quite poisonous and may cause ciguatera poisoning if consumed. This fish has a sharp spine so a thrath caused by their tail can deep wounds and may result in high risk poisoning. Some of the palette surgeonfish's have venemous glands. They are more susceptible to certain diseases and parasites. Surgeonfish are kept as pets so they should be more carefully monitered when people have them.