Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 24-26; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 23-25.

A dark brown to blackish surgeonfish without fine longitudinal lines. Front of upper lip orange; rest of mouth and narrow zone around it white and a white band across the 
chest. It exhibits a large black spot above the axil of the pectoral fin and a pale band on the outer third of the pectoral fin. Dorsal and anal fins have a fine electric 
blue edge. Dorsal fin has an orange posterior portion on the distal part of the last 6 rays. Caudal fin in adults is deeply lunate with long lobes. It carries a peduncular 
spine with white sheath the socket rimmed in black. The caudal fin base is encircled by a white ring. There is an indistinct metallic blue band adjacent to the lunate 
terminal edge of the caudal fin. Juveniles are brown with a yellow caudal fin.

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 48cm SL.
 

 Reef associated species occurring singly or in groups typically in outer reef areas between 3-40m depth. Grazer/detrivore feeding over sand on algae and detritus.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery, but is a rare component of the catch.

In water photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.

Abesamis, R. et al. (2012). Acanthurus leucocheilus. The IUCN Red List 2012: e.T177994A1515329. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T177994A1515329.en. (10/10/18).

Bray D.J.  Acanthurus leucocheilus in Fishes of Australia http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4960 (10/10/18)

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2018). Fishbase. Acanthurus leucocheilus. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Acanthurus-leucocheilus.html (10/10/18)

Randall, J.E. (2001). Surgeonfishes of Hawaii and the World. ISBN: 1-56647-561-9

Nevill, J.E.G. & Mason-Parker, C. (2019). Acanthurus leucocheilus, Palelipped surgeonfish. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/acanthurus-leucocheilus-herre-1927-2/ (Edited 11/06/22).