Description
Also known as Desjardini Tang, Desjardin's Indian Sailfin Tang, Desjardin's Sailfin Surgeonfish, Desjardin's Sailfin Tang, Doctorfish, Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang, Indian Sailfin Tang, Lancetfish, Purple-lined Tang, Red Sea Sailfin Tang, Sailfin Desjardni Tang, Sailfin Doctorfish, Sailfin Surgeonfish, Sailfin Tang, Sailfish Tang, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish.
Found in pairs, over protected, large lagoons and seaward reefs. They are flat bodied with stripes and spots in all directions.
They feed on filamentous algae.
Juveniles found amongst the arms of stag horn corals, over lagoons and protected reefs.
They often have a yellow patch on the tail when maturing and can be confused with the Pacific Sailfin Surgeonfish!
Length - 40cm
Depth - 2-30m
Widespread Indian Ocean
Surgeonfish have a blade like spine in the tail that points outwards when bent, unicorns have two hook-like plates along the tail, these are used for defence and are as sharp as a surgeons scalpel, hence the name "Surgeonfish".
Some species are venomous. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Zebrasoma-desjardinii
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