Palette Surgeonfish

Paracanthurus hepatus

Also known as: Blue Hippo Tang, Blue Surgeonfish, Blue Tang, Blue-and-Yellow Hippo Tang, Doctorfish, Flagtail Surgeonfish, Hepatus Tang, Hippo Tang, Indo-Pacific Blue Tang, Indo-Pacific Tang, Lancetfish, Pacific Blue Tang, Pacific Regal Surgeonfish, Pacific Regal Tang, Palette Surgeon, Palette Tang, Regal Tang, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Wedgetail Blue Tang, Wedge-tailed Tang, Yellow-tail Blue Tang

ALSO KNOWN AS

Blue Hippo Tang
Blue Surgeonfish
Blue Tang
Blue-and-Yellow Hippo Tang
Doctorfish
Flagtail Surgeonfish
Hepatus Tang
Hippo Tang
Indo-Pacific Blue Tang
Indo-Pacific Tang
Lancetfish
Pacific Blue Tang
Pacific Regal Surgeonfish
Pacific Regal Tang
Palette Surgeon
Palette Tang
Regal Tang
Thorntail
Thorntail Fish
Wedgetail Blue Tang
Wedge-tailed Tang
Yellow-tail Blue Tang

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012

VenomousKeep your distance

LIFE STAGE

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Palette Surgeonfish adult, photographed at Sydney Aquarium, Australia — @greatwhite · Sydney Aquarium, Australia · April 20121 / 6

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

Overview

Found singly or in loose schools, over current swept terraces of seaward 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.