Indian Ocean Mimic Surgeonfish

Acanthurus tristis

Habitat & Distribution :  Indian Ocean 

Diet : Algae

Size :  Up to 25 cm

Lifespan : 7 - 10 years

Deskription

It has a prominent snout and a convex head. As a juvenile, its body is pale brown with orange stripes. As an adult, it is more brownish-gray with a white edge on its tail and black markings on its cheeks.

Behavior

It gets it's name for it's resemblence to the Eibli angelfish (Centropyge eibli) as juveniles, which is unpopular with predators due to its agility. This is a form of mimicry, where one species imitates the appearance and/or behavior of another to survive.

Reproduction

Indian ocean mimic surgeonfish are pelagic spawners that means they lay their eggs in open water and are fertilized externally

Communication & Perception

They communicate primarily through behavioral mimicry, acting as a Batesian mimic to deceive predators and reduce aggression from other fish

Predators

Moray eels, lionfish, reef sharks, barracudas and other larger predatory fish

Conservation Status : Least Concern/ Unlisted