WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Striped-fin Surgeonfish

Ctenochaetus marginatus

Also known as: Blue-spotted Bristletooth, Blue-spotted Surgeonfish, Bristletooth Tang, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Starry Kole Tang, Striped-fin Tang, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
No adult photos yetSeen one? Be the first to add a photo of this stage.Add the first photo
01

Overview

Found in small schools, over surge zones, of shallow seaward reefs. Varies in colour with light.

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

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Pacific Ocean
LIVES IN

Found in small schools, over surge zones, of shallow seaward reefs.

04

Adult photos 0

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 marginatus (Valenciennes, 1835)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)