Japan Surgeonfish (Acanthurus japonicus)

Also known as Doctorfish, Goldrim Tang, Gold-rimmed Tang, Japanese Surgeonfish, Lancetfish, Powder Black Surgeonfish, Powder Brown Surgeonfish, Powder Brown Tang, White-faced Surgeonfish, Whitenose Surgeonfish, White-nosed Surgeonfish

Description

Also known as Doctorfish, Goldrim Tang, Gold-rimmed Tang, Japanese Surgeonfish, Lancetfish, Powder Black Surgeonfish, Powder Brown Surgeonfish, Powder Brown Tang, White-faced Surgeonfish, Whitenose Surgeonfish, White-nosed Surgeonfish.

Found singly, or in small to large schools, over shallow, exposed areas, of lagoons and seaward reefs.
They feed on filamentous algae.
Length - 21cm
Depth - 1-20m
Widespread Indo-West 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. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Acanthurus-japonicus.html

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