Acanthurus chronixis Randall, 1960
Chronixis surgeonfish
Acanthurus chronixis
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Acanthurinae
Max. size:  28 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 6 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Kapingamarangi Atoll, Caroline Islands. Possibly endemic of that atoll. Reports from other areas are likely misidentifications of the juvenile stages of Acanthurus pyroferus (J.E. Randall, pers. comm.), e.g. from Taiwan (Shao et al., 2008).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-26; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 24-24. Caudal fin lunate. Life colour unknown. Preserved specimen is dark brown with two small oval spots, one above and the other slightly behind the upper end of the gill opening, and a dark brown band at the base of the dorsal fin.
Biology:  Found over sand and coral bottoms of clear channels (Ref. 9710). Juveniles probably occur on reef flats (Ref. 9710). Rare and not commercial (J.E. Randall, pers. comm.).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 03 May 2010 (D2) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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