[2][5] Acanthurus tractus was first formally described in 1860 by the Cuban zoologist Felipe Poey with its type locality given as Cuba.

[10] The colour is somewhat variable, being light beige over sandy substrates and darker brown over rocks.

The rays of the pectoral fins are often orange, and there is frequently a pale or white ring around the caudal peduncle.

In the Gulf of Mexico, it could be confused with Acanthurus randalli, but that species is rather smaller and has yellower fins.

[3] Acanthurus tractus is native to the shallow sub-tidal areas of the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and parts of the Gulf of Mexico.

[3] Acanthurus tractus is a common species with a widespread distribution; it faces no known major threats, and is neither targeted by the fishing industry nor by the aquarium trade to any great extent.