Yellowmask Surgeonfish
Acanthurus mata
Also known as: Bleeker´s Surgeonfish, Blue-lined Surgeonfish, Doctorfish, Elongate Surgeon, Elongate Surgeonfish, Elongate Tang, Elongated Surgeonfish, Lancetfish, Mata Surgeonfish, Mata Tang, Pale Surgeon, Pale Surgeonfish, Striped Surgeon, Thorntail, Thorntail Fish, Yellowmask
- Bleeker´s Surgeonfish
- Blue-lined Surgeonfish
- Doctorfish
- Elongate Surgeon
- Elongate Surgeonfish
- Elongate Tang
- Elongated Surgeonfish
- Lancetfish
- Mata Surgeonfish
- Mata Tang
- Pale Surgeon
- Pale Surgeonfish
- Striped Surgeon
- Thorntail
- Thorntail Fish
- Yellowmask
Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.
Overview
Found in schools, in murky waters, over rocky bottoms and along steep slopes of coral reefs.
They feed midwater on zooplankton.
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.
How to identify
- Pattern
- lines
- Head & Mouth
- bandit mask
- Behaviour
- open waterschooling
Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.
Habitat & where to find it
Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.
- Range · Indo-Pacific
- Country only · 10
Found in schools, in murky waters, over rocky bottoms and along steep slopes of coral reefs.
Adult photos 10
Discussion
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Deep dive
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