Clown Tang
Acanthurus lineatus
A boldly striped surgeonfish with a deep, flattened body and a crescent-shaped tail.
Clown Tang
Classic Clown TangAcanthurus lineatus A vivid reef surgeonfish with horizontal blue and gold stripes, a pale belly and a crescent-shaped tail.
The in-game Classic design. Select the card to inspect it.
Species field notes
Reported length
38 cm
Water type
SaltwaterScientific name
Acanthurus lineatusReal-world references. Size varies with age, population and environment.
Native range
Tropical Indo-Pacific, from eastern Africa across the Indian Ocean to the western and central Pacific.
Habitat
Shallow, exposed coral reefs, recorded from the surface down to about 15 metres.
Diet in nature
Algal turf grazed from reef surfaces. Adults may defend feeding territories.
Natural appearance
Black-edged blue and yellow stripes cross the upper body and turn diagonally across the head. The lower flanks are pale lavender to bluish white, with blue fin margins and orange-yellow pelvic fins.
Did you know?
Each side of the tail base carries a sharp, folding spine that tucks into a horizontal groove.
The reported size is the real-world maximum total length, including the tail.
Sources & species notes
- Australian Museum · Striped Surgeonfishhttps://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/striped-surgeonfish-acanthurus-lineatus-linnaeus-1758/
- Museums Victoria · Bluelined Surgeonfishhttps://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2186
