Zanclus cornutus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Moorish idol
French : Idole mauresque, Zancle cornu

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Acanthuriformes (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Zanclidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to 23 cm in length. Unmistakable. Arc-shaped fins with dorsal fin very elongated. Coloration white with bright yellow areas on snout and flanks. Two large vertical black bands on front and back of flanks. Black tail.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from East Africa to South Japan, Lord Howe Island and east to Hawaii, then to Gulf of California and Peru. Lives in turbid lagoons, reef flats, clear seaward rocky and coral reefs, to 182 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a huge range and is locally abundant. It is rarely collected and doesn’t seem to be globally affected by coral reef destruction.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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