Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 25-28; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 23-26.

Brown without lines on body or spots on head. Distinctive horizontal black band behind upper gill opening. Outer third of pectoral fin pale with yellow patch in upper 
portion and sub marginal black band. Caudal spine edged in black with black stripe continuing to point anteriorly over last quarter of body. Dorsal and anal fins have 
electric blue margin, the dorsal with a dark reddish line at base which can extend to bluish-purple band anterior to dorsal origin. Caudal fin brown and lunate with 
white bar at base and a narrow white posterior margin. 

Maturity: Lm 18.4 cm TL, range Unknown. Max length: 40 cm TL

Occurs in sandy areas near coral reefs or rocky bottom (1-30m depth, usually 2-15m) where it grazes on the biofilm on sandy surfaces. Solitary or in small groups. 
Has been reported to form spawning aggregations.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the trap fishery.

The species is reported to be sometimes poisonous – but not known as such in Seychelles. 

Clements, K.D. et al. (2012). Acanthurus nigricauda. The IUCN Red List 2012: e.T178017A1522347. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T178017A1522347.en. (13/10/18).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2018). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Acanthurus-nigricauda.html (13/10/18)
Randall, J.E. (2001). Surgeonfishes of Hawaii and the World. ISBN: 1-56647-561-9

Nevill, J.E.G. & Mason-Parker, C. (2019). Acanthurus nigricauda, Epaulette surgeonfish. www.seatizens.sc https://seatizens.sc/species/acanthurus-nigricauda-duncker-mohr-1929/ (edited 13/06/22).