Acanthurus leucosternon, more commonly known as the powder blue surgeonfish is a rather promiscuous species as far as surgeonfishes go. Although hybrids between surgeonfishes are uncommonly documented, there are some well known examples involving the powder blue surgeonfish.
South Africa’s Oceanseekers scored what appears to be, according to them, a hybrid between Acanthurus leucosternon and Acanthurus bariene. Apart from the blue coloration on the body, the other characteristic traits that suggests hybridization with A. leucosternon is the somewhat faint markings on the tail as well as the white chin. What do you think it is? Whatever it is, that’s one pretty unique surgeonfish. More pictures after the break.
