Mustard Surgeonfish

Preserved color is brown; spotted, white spots usually bordered with dark brown (may help conceal it in turbulent water that is often filled with small bubbles). Pelvic fins bright yellow. Each side of caudal peduncle with a single, sharp, forward-pointing erectile spine. Gill rakers on anterior row: 21-24; gill rakers on posterior row: 19-23.

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27 - 30; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 23 - 26

Found in turbulent waters in shallow reef areas. In atolls, commonly found schooling in surge areas. Is both a browser and a grazer (Ref. 275).

Occurs in surge zone of clear seaward reefs (Ref. 9710, 58302). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302); mainly oceanic and found schooling in shallow depths over reef flats subject to surge or currents (Ref. 48637). Browses on filamentous and calcareous algae. Forms schools.

fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial