Convict Tang / Kichu
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Convict Tang / Kichu
Acanthurus triostegus
Image from Coral Reefs CD
The kichu is one of the smallest surgeonfishes. Surgeonfishes get their name from a pair of sharp retractible bladelike spines at the base of the tail. These are used for defense and can easily cut the hand of a careless fisherman. The blade of the kichu is smaller and less dangerous than that of most other surgeonfishes. All of Guam's surgeonfishes are good to eat.
The kichu is one of Guam's most abundant surgeonfishes, occurring in most hard-bottomed areas from the shoreline to over 100 feet (30 m) deep. It is most abundant on outer reef flats and shallow lagoon and seaward reef slopes. Kichu feed on filamentous algae cropped from the surfaces of dead coral and rock. They occur as either scattered individuals or in large schools, sometimes with other algae-eating fishes such as parrotfishes, rabbitfishes, and other surgeonfishes. When alone, they are easily driven away from the territories of certain algae-eating fishes like the hiyok (Bluebanded Surgeonfish). However, when in a large swarming school they are able to overcome the best territorial defenses.
Juvenile kichu settle from the plankton at a length of about one inch (2.5 cm) and after about two months at sea. They spend their first several weeks in tidepools or among patches of coral rubble until they get larger and start roaming the reef. Adults aggregate at certain sites along the reef edge or in channel mouths to spawn. Spawning occurs at dusk among small groups that break away from the aggregation. Kichu are caught by talåya (cast net), tekken (gill net), chenchulu (surround net), and tokcha' (spear).
Guam Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 9/27/2005
