Monrovia Doctorfish (Acanthurus monroviae)

Also known as Atlantic Achilles Surgeonfish, Atlantic Achilles Tang, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Monrovia Surgeonfish, Monrovia Tang, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, West African Tang

Description

Also known as Atlantic Achilles Surgeonfish, Atlantic Achilles Tang, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Monrovia Surgeonfish, Monrovia Tang, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, West African Tang.

Found singly or in schools over coral and rocky bottoms of estuaries and lagoons.
They feed on detritus, phytoplankton and zooplankton.
Length - 45cm
Depth - 5-200m
Widespread Eastern Atlantic

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/1800

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