Ocean Surgeonfish
Acanthurus tractus
Also known as: Barber, Barber Surgeonfish, Brown Surgeonfish, Doctorfish, Fiveband Surgeonfish, Grey Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Ocean Surgeon, Ocean Tang, Ringtail, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish
- Barber
- Barber Surgeonfish
- Brown Surgeonfish
- Doctorfish
- Fiveband Surgeonfish
- Grey Doctorfish
- Lancetfish
- Ocean Surgeon
- Ocean Tang
- Ringtail
- Thorntail
- Thorntail Fish
Showing details for the juvenile stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.
Overview
Juveniles are not yellow, unlike young blue tangs, and the smallest have only a shallow notch in the tail rather than the adult's deep crescent. The pale rear edge of the tail is also broader in the young. Once they settle from the plankton they shelter on reefs and in seagrass.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
Where the juvenile stage lives, and where its photos were taken.
- Range · Caribbean, Northwest Atlantic
- Country only · 2
Juvenile photos 2
Discussion
No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.
Deep dive
More in the family
Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)
Blue Tang
Acanthurus coeruleus
Lined Surgeonfish
Acanthurus lineatus
Yellowmask Surgeonfish
Acanthurus mata
Achilles Tang
Acanthurus achilles
7 photos
Bignose Unicornfish
Naso vlamingii
Black Surgeonfish
Acanthurus gahhm
5 photos
Blue Unicorn
Naso caeruleacauda
1 photo
Blue-lined Surgeonfish
Acanthurus nigroris
1 photo
Blue-lipped Bristletooth
Ctenochaetus cyanocheilus
Bluespine Unicornfish
Naso unicornis
Brown Surgeonfish
Acanthurus nigrofuscus
Convict Surgeonfish
Acanthurus triostegus