WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Whitebar Surgeonfish

Acanthurus leucopareius

Also known as: Doctorfish, Headband Surgeonfish, Lancetfish, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Whiteband Surgeonfish, Whitebar, Whitebar Tang, White-throated Surgeonfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@eguiney · Galapagos Agressor, Ecuador · May 20151 / 8
01

Overview

Found in schools over boulder strewn surge zones of coral and rocky 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.

02

How to identify

Pattern
stripes
Fins & Tail
tail stripes
Head & Mouth
eye stripe
Behaviour
schooling

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Central Pacific
  • Dive site · 6
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found in schools over boulder strewn surge zones of coral and rocky reefs.

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 leucopareius (Jenkins, 1903)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Surgeonfishes-Tangs-Unicornfishes (Acanthuridae)