38. Acanthurus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Bluestriped surgeonfish (Figure 39)

Material examined: 1 ex, TL 207 mm, New Digha, Reg. no. MARC /ZSI/F568.

Description: D: IX, 27-30; A: III, 25-28. Body slightly oblong; caudal spine long; caudal fin lunate; dorsal fin spines 9; teeth in jaws fixed. Upper part of body and head with black-edged blue and yellow stripes on body and head; lower part pale lavender to bluish white; dorsal and anal fin dark blue; caudal fin bluish with a broad black area at base; pectoral fin hyaline; ventral fin yellowish orange.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa, including the Mascarene Islands to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.

IUCN Status (2012): Least Concern (LC).

Remarks: The fish has a commercial value. Ornamental & venomous. Size: 35 cm.