Epaulette Surgeonfish
Acanthurus nigricauda
Also known as: Black Surgeonfish, Black-barred Surgeonfish, Blackstreak Surgeonfish, Brown-eared Surgeonfish, Doctorfish, Epaulette Surgeon, Epaulette Tang, Eye-line Surgeonfish, Eye-stripe Surgeonfish, Lancetfish, Shoulderbar Surgeonfish, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Whitetail Surgeonfish
- Black Surgeonfish
- Black-barred Surgeonfish
- Blackstreak Surgeonfish
- Brown-eared Surgeonfish
- Doctorfish
- Epaulette Surgeon
- Epaulette Tang
- Eye-line Surgeonfish
- Eye-stripe Surgeonfish
- Lancetfish
- Shoulderbar Surgeonfish
- Thorntail
- Thorntail Fish
- Whitetail Surgeonfish
Overview
Found singly or in small schools, around isolated coral heads, over sandy areas of bays and lagoons.
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.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Indo-Pacific
- Exact location · 1
- Country only · 11
Found singly or in small schools, around isolated coral heads, over sandy areas of bays and lagoons.
Adult photos 12
Discussion
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Deep dive
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