Acanthurus mata is a tropical fish with the common name Elongate Surgeonfish.

Appearance

The elongate surgeonfish is light blue with numerous brown stripes running down the length of its body, although over time it is able to change colour to become blue overall. It has a band of yellowish green across its face and also on its upper lip. Males grow to be up to 50 cm long.

Habitat and Distribution

Can often be found inhabiting steep slopes around coral reefs. It is Indo-Pacific, and can be found as far north as Southern Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

 and south to the Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world'slargest reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres over an area of approximately...

. Some live as far west as South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

 and as far east as the Tuamotu Islands.

Economic Value

The elongate surgeonfish can be eaten fresh, and although it is venomous the flesh is seldom dangerous for consumption. It is also used as an aquarium fish, although its size means that it is more difficult to manage than most other tangs

Tangs

Tangs is a company that specialises in the retail market, selling goods to customers. It is based in Singapore, and owns Singapore's oldest store which has become an icon of the Singapore retail market...

and surgeonfish.