Kingdom Animalia Order Perciformes Genus Acanthurus Higher classification Acanthurus | Phylum Chordata Family Acanthuridae Scientific name Acanthurus bahianus Rank Species | |
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Similar Acanthurus, Acanthuridae, Doctorfish tang, Acanthurus coeruleus, Yellowfin surgeonfish | ||
Ocean surgeon fish blue tangs and parrot fish in same school eating algae
The ocean surgeon or ocean surgeonfish (Acanthurus bahianus) is a tropical fish known to live in reefs in the Atlantic Ocean. It is edible, and occasionally marketed fresh, but more often they are used as bait or in the aquarium trade.
Contents
- Ocean surgeon fish blue tangs and parrot fish in same school eating algae
- Ocean surgeonfish identification
- Description
- Distribution
- References
Ocean surgeonfish identification
Description
Ocean surgeons are known by their oval bodies with uniform color (Usually blue-gray to dark brown), the pale to dark marking around the eyes, and the light yellow is now found on their bodies. Most have blue or white markings on the dorsal fin, anal fin, and tail fins and pale bands can sometimes be seen at the base of their tails. They often swim in schools with other species such as the Atlantic blue tang surgeonfish. They have been recorded up to 38 cm (15 in) in length. Ocean surgeons have a total of 9 spines on their Dorsal fins and between 23 and 26 soft rays. Their anal fins have only 3 spines and between 21 and 23 rays. Their caudal fins are roughly emarginate, and the surgeonfish's body and head are both deep and compressed.
Distribution
Ocean surgeons inhabit coral reefs, where they feed on algae. They can be found north to Massachusetts and Bermuda and south to Brazil
