It is not known whether this colourful species is very common in Japanese waters, but it is not common anywhere throughout the remainder of its range in the Indo- and Central Pacific.

The ‘scalpel’ device of the surgeons in this tang is modified to form two bony extensions which are permanently erected in the mature fish. As a result of this feature, any attempts to move this species from one tank to another should always be made using a special type of net made be sewing a polythene bag on to a normal net frame, and then cutting holes in the bag for drainage. If a nylon or cotton net is used, the opercular spines will become entangled in the net and seroius damage to the fish will result.