Image Gallery: Surgeonfishes

The common name of the surgeonfishes comes from the blade(s) on the caudal peduncle of most adults.  The family Acanthuridae comprises 80 species, with 46 currently known from Australia.  Surgeonfishes are primarily tropical fishes associated with coral reefs although there are some species that live on rocky reefs in temperate waters.

Larval surgeonfish Larval surgeonfish
Larval surgeonfish, Acanthurus sp Larval surgeonfish, Acanthurus sp
Australian Sawtail - juvenile Australian Sawtail - juvenile
A Brown Surgeonfish at North Solitary Island A Brown Surgeonfish at North Solitary Island
Brown Tang, Zebrasoma scopas Brown Tang, Zebrasoma scopas
Juvenile Brown Tang Juvenile Brown Tang
Convict Surgeonfish, Acanthurus triostegus Convict Surgeonfish, Acanthurus triostegus
Convict Surgeonfish at Mauritius Convict Surgeonfish at Mauritius
An Eyestripe Surgeonfish from North Solitary Island. An Eyestripe Surgeonfish from North Solitary Island.
Humpnose Unicornfish, Naso tonganus Humpnose Unicornfish, Naso tonganus
A Mimic Surgeonfish at Great Detached Reef A Mimic Surgeonfish at Great Detached Reef
A Mimic Surgeonfish at 'Steve's Bommie' A Mimic Surgeonfish at 'Steve's Bommie'
Orangeblotch Surgeonfish at South Solitary Island Orangeblotch Surgeonfish at South Solitary Island
Ringtail Unicornfish, Naso annulatus Ringtail Unicornfish, Naso annulatus
Sailfin Tang, Zebrasoma veliferum Sailfin Tang, Zebrasoma veliferum
Sawtail Surgeonfish (Juvenile) at Fly Point, Port Stephens, New South Wales. Sawtail Surgeonfish (Juvenile) at Fly Point, Port Stephens, New South Wales.
Scribbled Unicornfish, Naso maculatus Scribbled Unicornfish, Naso maculatus
Spotted Sawtail, Prionurus maculatus Spotted Sawtail, Prionurus maculatus
Whitespotted Surgeonfish, Acanthurus guttatus Whitespotted Surgeonfish, Acanthurus guttatus