Author: Kittlitz, 1834
FBname: Chocolate surgeonfish
Comments: Occurs in lagoon and seaward reefs; prefers areas of mixed coral, rock, or sand at the base of reefs or ledges, Ref. 48637.  Also on silty reefs (Ref. 9710).  Found singly (Ref. 9710).  Juveniles mimic <i>Centropyge</i> spp. (in Guam, juveniles mimic <i>C. flavissimus</i> but in Palau where this species is absent, they mimic <i>C. vrolikii</i>), Ref. 48637.  Presence of a venom gland could not be determined despite the presence of distinct anterolateral grooves; this may be due to the loss of venom glands in adults (Ref. 57406). Feeds on algae (Ref. 89972).  Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.