WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Thompson's Surgeonfish

Acanthurus thompsoni

Also known as: Chocolate Surgeon, Chocolate Surgeonfish, Doctorfish, Lancetfish, Night Surgeonfish, Thompson's Tang, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Whitetail Surgeonfish, White-tailed Surgeonfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@perigor2000 · PNG, Indonesia · December 20111 / 8
01

Overview

Found singly or in small schools, over coral and sandy areas, along steep drop-offs and steep outer reef slopes. Can change colour when disturbed.

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
Fins & Tail
white tail

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 8
LIVES IN

Found singly or in small schools, over coral and sandy areas, along steep drop-offs and steep outer reef slopes.

04

Adult photos 8

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. genusAcanthurus
    7. speciesAcanthurus thompsoni (Fowler, 1923)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)