Zebrasoma flavescens, commonly known as the yellow surgeonfish, belongs to the family Acanthuridae and the order Perciformes. Its scientific name comes from two roots: ‘Zebrasoma‘ refers to its compressed and disc-shaped body, while ‘flavescens‘ is derived from the Latin ‘flavus‘, which means yellow, referring to its bright coloration. This fish is native to the Indian and Pacific oceans, and is found mainly in the tropical waters surrounding Hawaii, Japan and the Micronesian islands. It inhabits coral reefs and coastal lagoons, generally at depths of between 2 and 45 meters.
In terms of morphology, Zebrasoma flavescens is an oval-bodied, laterally compressed fish, which can reach up to 20 cm in length. Its most distinctive feature is its bright yellow color that covers it completely, making it easily recognizable. In stressful situations or at night, its color may fade, showing a horizontal whitish stripe along the body. One of its most important characteristics is the presence of a sharp spine at the base of its caudal fin, used both for defense and for territorial disputes with other fish. This spine is one of the main distinguishing features of the Acanthuridae family. Unlike other species of the genus Zebrasoma, such as Zebrasoma scopas, which has a brown coloration and darker markings on its body, Zebrasoma flavescens is distinguished by its uniform yellow color.
As for its diet, Zebrasoma flavescens is primarily herbivorous, and its diet consists of filamentous algae that grow on reefs. These fish scrape the surfaces of rocks and corals for algae, which gives them an important role in controlling algal overgrowth on reefs. In addition to algae, in captivity they are known to consume animal foods such as small crustaceans and other protein supplements. Its ability to feed on algae makes it a keystone species in the health of coral reef ecosystems.
In terms of reproductive habits, Zebrasoma flavescens is an oviparous species. Reproduction generally occurs at dusk on full moon days, when males and females gather in groups to simultaneously release sperm and eggs into the water column, where external fertilization occurs. This behavior is generally observed in the warmer months, when environmental conditions favor larval development. The larvae are planktonic and float freely in the ocean for several weeks before settling on the reefs, where they transform into juveniles.
A curious fact about Zebrasoma flavescens is its popularity in the aquarium hobby. Its vibrant color and relatively peaceful temperament have made it one of the most coveted fish among saltwater aquarium hobbyists. In addition, in its natural habitat, it is an agile swimmer that can form small groups, although it can also be territorial with other fish of its species. Although its collection for the aquarium trade has raised concerns about its conservation, captive breeding efforts have helped reduce pressure on wild populations.
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