WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Sixplate Sawtail

Prionurus microlepidotus

Also known as: Australian Sawtail, Australian Sawtail Surgeonfish, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Sawtail, Sawtail Surgeonfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Juvenile
@fishx6 · North Kepple Island, QLD,, Australia · March 20121 / 2
01

Overview

Found in schools, over rocky shores of bays, estuaries and coastal reefs.
Juveniles found in coastal bays and estuaries.
Western Pacific- Southeastern Australia

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

Behaviour
schooling

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Pacific
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found in schools, over rocky shores of bays, estuaries and coastal reefs.

04

Juvenile photos 2

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 microlepidotus Lacepède, 1804

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)