Yellowfin Surgeonfish
Scientific Name: Acanthurus xanthopterus
Species: Surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae)
Other names: Doctorfishes, Lancetfishes, Yellowfin Surgeon, Purple Surgeonfish.
Some Images
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Yellowfin SurgeonfishUploaded by: @fishx6 in April 2008
Photographed at: Gangehi - Maldives
Caption: No caption available
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Yellowfin SurgeonfishUploaded by: @fishx6 in August 2007
Photographed at: Mirihi - Maldives
Caption: No caption available
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Yellowfin SurgeonfishUploaded by: @fishx6 in August 2007
Photographed at: Mirihi - Maldives
Caption: No caption available
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Yellowfin SurgeonfishUploaded by: @fishx6 in March 2008
Photographed at: Gangehi - Maldives
Caption: No caption available
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Yellowfin SurgeonfishUploaded by: @fishx6 in March 2008
Photographed at: Gangehi - Maldives
Caption: No caption available
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Yellowfin SurgeonfishUploaded by: @fishx6 in May 2008
Photographed at: Mirihi Island Resort - Maldives
Caption: No caption available
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Yellowfin SurgeonfishUploaded by: @Arpad in June 2011
Photographed at: Red Sea - Sudan
Caption: No caption available
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Description
Also known as Doctorfishes, Lancetfishes, Yellowfin Surgeon and Purple Surgeonfish.
Found in schools on sandy reef slopes and in lagoons.
This is the largest surgeonfish.
Often curious towards boats and divers.
They feed on plankton and algae.
Length - 56cm
Depth - 1-100m
Widespread Indo-Pacific
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.
Spotted
The Yellowfin Surgeonfish is found in or near the Indo-Pacific region(s) and has been photographed 7 times by users @fishx6 @Arpad
Related creatures
Many creatures change during their life. Juvenile fish become adults and some change shape or their colour. Some species change sex and others just get older. The following creature(s) are known relatives of the Yellowfin Surgeonfish. Click the image(s) to explore further or hover over to get a better view!
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Yes you can eat this fish. The reason it needs careful handling is because of the barbs on the tail which are venomous!
@fishx6
21. Sep. 2009
Can you eat yellow surgeon fish and how come you cant handle them?
sophie
14. May. 2009