Comparative Demography of Four Large-Bodied Surgeonfish

Growth rate, longevity, and maturity were estimated for four commonly targeted species of surgeonfish in Hawai‘i: ringtail surgeonfish/pualu Acanthurus blochii, eyestripe surgeonfish/palani Acanthurus dussumieri, orange-band surgeonfish/na‘ena‘e Acanthurus olivaceus, and yellowfin surgeonfish/pualu Acanthurus xanthopterus. All species demonstrated rapid growth with long life spans. The maximum observed ages were 26 years for A. blochii, 30 years for A. dussumieri, 14 years for A. olivaceus, and 29 years for A. xanthopterus. Females reached maturity at a greater size and age for all four species. All species reached maturity within the first 3 years of life and approximately 59–67% of maximum size. All four surgeonfish species demonstrated a biphasic mortality schedule with a higher total mortality rate occurring earlier part of life. This study provides a comprehensive study of the age, growth, and maturity for four large-bodied surgeonfish species which are commonly targeted throughout Hawai‘i and the rest of the Indo-Pacific.