First Geographic Record of Acanthurus xanthopterus and Family Acanthuridae from the Gulf of Kachchh, Northwest Coast of India

Abstract

This study focused on Acanthurus xanthopterus, a reef-associated species also known as Yellowfin surgeonfish from the family Acanthuridae. The objective of this study was to identify and describe A. xanthopterus. A single specimen of 39.6 cm in length and 1263 g. weight was collected from a fisherman involved in traditional Wada fishing in Sikka. Detailed morphological parameters were observed and recorded for taxonomic identification. The results reveal that this species has been observed for the first time on the northwest coast of India, it is also the first recorded mention of the family Acanthuridae from the Gulf of Kachchh northwest coast of India.