Acanthurus xanthopterus
Also known as: Curvier's Surgeonfish, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Purple Surgeonfish, Ringtail Surgeonfish, Ring-tailed Surgeonfish, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Yellowfin Surgeon, Yellowmask Surgeonfish
Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.
Found in schools, over sand slopes, of deep protected bays, lagoons, and outer reefs.
They feed on filamentous algae, detritus, pieces of fish, and hydroids. Often curious towards boats and divers.
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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Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.
Found in schools, over sand slopes, of deep protected bays, lagoons, and outer reefs.
4 comments
Yes, you can eat them, and they are actually delicious, IMO. I just cooked up a nice fillet on the flat iron and served it with rice. They can provide a lot of yield, on the larger ones. But as the 2 inch scar on the back of one of my fingers can attest, care is needed when harvesting, because when they say the spines at the tail are as sharp as a scalpel, it's not an exaggeration. Cut through heavy leather glove and to the bone, in a heartbeat, didn't even feel it.
Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)
Acanthurus coeruleus
Ctenochaetus cyanocheilus
Naso brachycentron
Zebrasoma velifer
Acanthurus mata
Naso vlamingii
Naso unicornis
Acanthurus nigrofuscus
Acanthurus dussumieri
Acanthurus grammoptilus
Naso tonganus
Ctenochaetus truncatus
