Description
Also known as Doctorfish, Eastern Sailfin Tang, Lancetfish, Pacific Sailfin Surgeonfish, Purple-lined Tang, Ringed Tang, Sailfin Surgeonfish, Sailfin Tang, Sailfish Tang, Striped Sailfin Tang, Striped Zebrasoma, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Velifer Sailfin Surgeonfish, Velifer Sailfin Tang.
Found singly or in small schools, over lower surge zones, of lagoons and seaward reefs. They have greatly enlarged dorsal and Anal Fins.
They feed on leafy microalgae.
Juveniles found singly, in protected murky waters, amongst corals and rocks of reefs.
Length - 40cm
Depth - 1-40m
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. (edit)
Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Zebrasoma-velifer.html
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