39. Acanthurus mata (Cuvier, 1829)

Elongate surgeonfish (Figure 40)

Material examined: 1ex, TL 252mm, Digha Mohana, Reg. no. ZSI/ MARC /F 769.

Description: D: IX, 24-26; A: III, 23-24. Body elongated and slightly deep; dorsal profile of head gradually sloping to snout; mouth small; caudal fin lunate. Dark brown with narrow longitudinal blue line on head and body; a yellow area behind eye; two yellow bands radiating anteriorly from eye. Capable of change colour to overall pale blue. A single, sharp, forward-pointing erectile spine which folds down into a horizontal groove on each side of the caudal peduncle; spine in white sheath. Gill rakers 13-15 in both anterior and posterior rows. Scales minute.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Natal, South Africa and east to the Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.

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

Remarks: The fish has a commercial value. Ornamental & venomous. Size: 50 cm.