WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Twospot Surgeonfish

Ctenochaetus binotatus

Also known as: Blue-eye Bristletooth, Blue-eye Surgeonfish, Blue-eye Tang, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Twospot Bristletooth, Twospot Bristletooth Surgeonfish, Twospot Bristletooth Tang, Twospot Tang

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@fishx6 · Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives · May 20081 / 11
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Overview

Found singly, grazing on the surface of algae covered coral and rubble areas, in deep lagoons and seaward reefs. Varies in colour with light.

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.

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How to identify

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 10
LIVES IN

Found singly, grazing on the surface of algae covered coral and rubble areas, in deep lagoons and seaward reefs.

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Adult photos 11

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderAcanthuriformes
    5. familyAcanthuridae
    6. genusCtenochaetus
    7. speciesCtenochaetus binotatus Randall, 1955

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)