WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Indian Sailfin Surgeonfish

Zebrasoma desjardinii

Also known as: Desjardini Tang, Desjardin's Indian Sailfin Tang, Desjardin's Sailfin Surgeonfish, Desjardin's Sailfin Tang, Doctorfish, Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang, Indian Sailfin Tang, Lancetfish, Purple-lined Tang, Red Sea Sailfin Tang, Sailfin Desjardni Tang, Sailfin Doctorfish, Sailfin Surgeonfish, Sailfin Tang, Sailfish Tang, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@heroicsatsuma · graphics, Australia · March 20161 / 25

Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.

01

Overview

Found in pairs, over protected, large lagoons and seaward reefs. They are flat bodied with stripes and spots in all directions.

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.

02

How to identify

Behaviour
pairs

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.

  • Range · Indian Ocean
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 24
LIVES IN

Found in pairs, over protected, large lagoons and seaward reefs.

04

Adult photos 25

06

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

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    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderAcanthuriformes
    5. familyAcanthuridae
    6. genusZebrasoma
    7. speciesZebrasoma desjardinii (Bennett, 1836)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    07

    More in the family

    Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)