Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Acanthurus chirurgus
- Common name
- Doctorfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Genus
- Acanthurus
- Size
- 20–39 cm
- Depth
- 2–40 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- schooling, herbivorous
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Acanthurus chirurgus reaches 39 cm. Oval bluish-grey to purple body marked with 10 to 12 fine dark vertical lines. Razor-sharp retractable lateral blade near the caudal (hence surgeonfish). Forms schools on coral reefs, algae grazer. From 2 to 40 m. Tropical western Atlantic. Never grasp: the blade inflicts deep cuts.
Photo of Doctorfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Doctorfish?
- Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus) reaches 20–39 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Doctorfish?
- Doctorfish is found between 2–40 m deep.
- Is the Doctorfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Doctorfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Doctorfish?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Acanthurus
- Acanthurus tractus - Atlantic blue tang
- Acanthurus pyroferus - Mimic Surgeonfish
- Acanthurus lineatus - Striped Surgeonfish
- Acanthurus sohal - Sohal surgeonfish
- Acanthurus leucosternon - Powder Blue Surgeonfish
- Acanthurus japonicus - Japan Surgeonfish
Other species in the family Acanthuridae
- Prionurus punctatus - Yellowtail surgeonfish
- Naso lituratus - Orangespine unicornfish
- Naso vlamingii - Vlaming's unicornfish
- Prionurus laticlavius - Blackstriped Surgeon
- Zebrasoma xanthurum - Yellowtail tang
- Zebrasoma desjardinii - Sailfin tang
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 159580)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5209174)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia