Twotone tang

Biology

The twotone tang has a yellow back and a brown belly, which become darker with age. Like other surgeons, adults have a sharp spine on the caudal peduncle, which is used for defence. It inhabits lagoons and coral reefs, where adults swim in small shoals. Juveniles are solitary and are usually found among corals.

Conservation

This species is captured in subsistence fisheries, and there may be some localized declines in areas where it is harvested.

Curiosities

It has small and numerous pharyngeal teeth. Therefore it can easily scrape and grind the algae on which it feeds.