Powderblue Surgeonfish

Acanthurus leucosternon

Also known as: Blue Surgeonfish, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Powderblue Doctorfish, Powderblue Surgeon, Powderblue Tang, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish

ALSO KNOWN AS

Blue Surgeonfish
Doctorfish
Lancetfish
Powderblue Doctorfish
Powderblue Surgeon
Powderblue Tang
Thorntail
Thorntail Fish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012

Add a photo

Powderblue Surgeonfish adult, photographed at Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives — @fishx6 · Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives · June 20101 / 31

Overview

Found in small to large schools, over reef flats and upper seaward slopes, of clear coastal and island 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.

How to identify

COLOURS

Head & Mouth: black face
Behaviour: schooling

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

Habitat & where to find it

Range · Indian Ocean, Western Pacific
Exact location · 3
Country only · 28

LIVES IN

Found in small to large schools, over reef flats and upper seaward slopes, of clear coastal and island coral reefs.

RANGE

Adult photos 31

Discussion 2

2 comments

sophia· 2 Jun 2014
it is really cool. are these venomous?
Helpful· 1
fishx6Top Contributor· 5 Jun 2014
Only form their blade like spine on the tail, but I have never heard of anyone being hurt, maybe fishermen when caught. As divers we get really close.
Helpful