This is one of the more common of the surgeonfish at Kwajalein and can be found on a range of lagoon, pinnacle and seaward reefs. On several occasions, we have witnessed settlings of huge numbers of juveniles that swarm over the reef for a few weeks.
Juvenile color form.
Some juveniles lack the orange stripes.
Newly settled juveniles swarming over the reef.
Colors start to change as they age.
The one below was oddly bleached on the right side of its body. The left side was pretty normal.
But the right side mostly dirty white and blotchy.
Created 8 July 2017