Acanthuridae are the family of surgeonfishes, tangs, and unicornfishes. The family includes about 86 extant species of marine fish living in tropical seas, usually around coral reefs. Many of the species are brightly colored and popular in aquaria. The distinctive characteristic of the family is that they have scalpel-like modified scales, one or more on either side of the peduncle of the tail. The spines are dangerously sharp and may seriously injure anyone who carelessly handles such a fish. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are large, extending for most of the length of the body. The mouths are small and have a single row of teeth adapted to grazing on algae. Learn more about Surgeonfish
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Surgeonfish Species Videos
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Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status |
Brown Surgeonfish (4 videos) | Acanthurus nigrofuscus | Least concern |
Chocolate Surgeonfish (2 videos) | Acanthurus pyroferus | Least concern |
Convict Surgeonfish (79 videos) | Acanthurus triostegus | Least concern |
Elongate Surgeonfish (20 videos) | Acanthurus mata | Least concern |
Epaulette Surgeonfish (4 videos) | Acanthurus nigricauda | Least concern |
Eyestripe Surgeonfish (2 videos) | Acanthurus dussumieri | Least concern |
Lined Surgeonfish (13 videos) | Acanthurus lineatus | Least concern |
Longnose Surgeonfish (1 videos) | Zebrasoma rostratum | Data deficient |
Ocean Surgeon (2 videos) | Acanthurus bahianus | Least concern |
Orange-socket Surgeonfish (4 videos) | Acanthurus auranticavus | Least concern |
Orangespot Surgeonfish (12 videos) | Acanthurus olivaceus | Least concern |
Palelipped Surgeonfish (4 videos) | Acanthurus leucocheilus | Least concern |
Palette Surgeonfish (10 videos) | Paracanthurus hepatus | Least concern |
Pin-striped Surgeon (1 videos) | Acanthurus nubilus | Least concern |
Powderblue Surgeonfish (17 videos) | Acanthurus leucosternon | Least concern |
Razor Surgeonfish (17 videos) | Prionurus laticlavius | Least concern |
Ringtail Surgeonfish (5 videos) | Acanthurus blochii | Least concern |
Spotted Surgeonfish (3 videos) | Ctenochaetus strigosus | Least concern |
Striated Surgeonfish (6 videos) | Ctenochaetus striatus | Least concern |
Surgeonfish (1434 videos) | Acanthurus monroviae | Least concern |
Thompson's Surgeonfish (7 videos) | Acanthurus thompsoni | Least concern |
Tomini Surgeonfish (2 videos) | Ctenochaetus tominiensis | Least concern |
Whitebar Surgeonfish (6 videos) | Acanthurus leucopareius | Least concern |
Whitecheek Surgeonfish (27 videos) | Acanthurus nigricans | Least concern |
Whitespotted Surgeonfish (12 videos) | Acanthurus guttatus | Least concern |
Yellowfin Surgeonfish (13 videos) | Acanthurus xanthopterus | Least concern |
Yellowtail Surgeonfish (48 videos) | Prionurus punctatus | Least concern |