Body ovate and strongly compressed. Caudal peduncle with a strong movable spine; this spine enclosed in a deep groove. Caudal fin emarginate. Body covered with small scales. Body grayish brown with 10 vertical dark brown bars; dorsal and anal fins grayish brown with a narrow marginal blue line; pelvic fin grayish brown; caudal fin pale brown basally and grayish brown posteriorly; pectoral fin grayish brown with pale brown edge; caudal peduncle encircled by a narrow black line.
Distribution:
Both sides of Atlantic, in the western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Brazil.
Remarks:
This species is distinguishable from other Atlantic species of Acanthurus by having 10 vertical dark brown bars on the body. (Matsuura)