scubaseason

Convict Surgeonfish

Acanthurus triostegus

Sighting evidence at Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, Apia, Samoa

During the October and November palolo worm spawn, convict surgeonfish gather in the thousands at Palolo Deep to feed on the rising worm segments, creating one of the most dramatic reef-fish aggregations in Polynesia. Outside spawn season smaller schools still patrol the shallow lagoon edges, grazing algae from coral heads and keeping rubble zones clear for new coral recruitment.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Convict Surgeonfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites