WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Pale-tailed Bristletooth

Ctenochaetus flavicauda

Also known as: Bristlemouth Tang, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Pale-tailed Bristletooth, Red-spotted Surgeonfish, Red-spotted Tang, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Whitetail Bristletooth, Whitetail Bristletooth Tang, Whitetail Kole Tang, Whitetail Yelloweye Tang

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@MaastrichianGuy · Rainforest Cafe (Disney Springs), United States · August 20181 / 1
01

Overview

Found in shallow waters of fringing coral reefs.

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

Pattern
linesspots
Fins & Tail
white tail
Head & Mouth
gold eye ring

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Central Pacific
  • Exact location · 1
LIVES IN

Found in shallow waters of fringing coral reefs.

04

Adult photos 1

05

Discussion

Comments are checked by a moderator before they appear.

No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.

    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderAcanthuriformes
    5. familyAcanthuridae
    6. genusCtenochaetus
    7. speciesCtenochaetus flavicauda Fowler, 1938

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)