Description
Also known as Curvier's Surgeonfish, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Purple Surgeonfish, Ringtail Surgeonfish, Ring-tailed Surgeonfish, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Yellowfin Surgeon, Yellowmask Surgeonfish.
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.
Juveniles found over surge zones of protected inshore waters.
Length - 56cm
Depth - 1-100m
Widespread Eastern Pacific, Indo-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/1261
4 comments
Posted by @JarJarHi there, could this be Acanthurus dussumieri? With the white sting instead of a black one (Acanthurus xanthopterus) Best regards, Chris
Posted by benYes, 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.
Posted by @fishx6Yes you can eat this fish. The reason it needs careful handling is because of the barbs on the tail which are venomous!
Posted by sophieCan you eat yellow surgeon fish and how come you cant handle them?