WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Scalpel Sawtail

Prionurus scalprum

Also known as: Doctorfish, Japanese Sawtail, Lancetfish, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish

VenomousKeep your distance
Adult
@jpc · Ita, Shizuoka, Japan, Japan · July 20161 / 1
01

Overview

Found in schools, over shallow surge zones, of rocky reefs, rich in seaweed growth.

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

COLOURS
Behaviour
schooling

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03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Northwest Pacific
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found in schools, over shallow surge zones, of rocky reefs, rich in seaweed growth.

04

Adult photos 1

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderAcanthuriformes
    5. familyAcanthuridae
    6. genusPrionurus
    7. speciesPrionurus scalprum Valenciennes, 1835

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)