Juveniles of the surgeonfish Acanthurus pyroferus often mimic pygmy angelfish such as Centropyge flavissima, C. vrolikii, or the hybrids between the two species. It is thought that the wary behavior of the angels, darting in and out of holes in the reef, makes them a poor target for many predators, and the juvenile tangs take advantage of this when they resemble them. When the tangs get too large to reasonably mimic pygmy angels, they change to their adult, rather drab colors. The first two below mimic Centropyge flavissima, right down to the blue around the eye, along the poster edge of the opercle, and around the fins.
This one effectively mimics a hybrid between Centropyge flavissima and C. vrolikii.
This one is a little larger, starting to take on the coloration of the adult Acanthurus pyroferus. However, it still has the blue trim to the tail and a trace of blue around the eye.
The next one is getting too large to mimic a Centropyge, but it has not yet lost its yellow color.
This is more typical of the adult coloration (max. 29cm).
Created 16 September 2010
Updated 27 March 2017
Close tab to return to previous page.