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
Convict Surgeonfish, Acanthurus triostegus Convict Surgeonfish, Acanthurus triostegus
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'
Orangeband Surgeonfish, Acanthurus olivaceus Orangeband Surgeonfish, Acanthurus olivaceus
Ringtail Unicornfish, Naso annulatus Ringtail Unicornfish, Naso annulatus
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