Surgeonfish | SEA Undersea

The Surgeonfish family includes about 80 species, including unicornfish. Many of the species are quite colorful, or otherwise distinctive - such as the unicorns. The distinctive characteristic of the family is the spines, one or more on either side of the tail, which are dangerously sharp.

Atlantic Blue Tang

Also called: Blue barber, blue doctor, blue tang

Scientific name: Acanthurus coeruleus

Sleek Unicornfish

Also called: Blacktongue Unicornfish

Scientific name: Naso hexacanthus

Unicornfish are a family of Surgeonfishes. Some, but not all, members of the family have a single "horn" on the forehead, giving the family its name. The Sleek Unicornfish is one of the larger members, and as the name implies, the body is a bit more streamlined that most stout-bodied Surgeonfish.

Razor Surgeonfish

Also called: Yeollowtail Surgeonfixh

Scientific name: Prionurus laticlavius

The Razor Surgeonfish is common in Mexican waters. The photograph was taken in the waters off La Paz near the southern-most tip of Baja California.

Powderblue Surgeonfish

Also called: Powder blue tang

Scientific name: Acanthurus leucosternon

The Blue Tang was quite common in the outer reefs of the Maldives, but I've also seen in around Komodo in Indonesia. Like the other Blue Tang, it was very difficult to photograph, that is, until the Mantas showed up. Then it seemed like it wouldn't get out of the picture.

Indo-Pacific Bluetang

Also called: Palette Surgeonfish, Regal tang

Scientific name: Paracanthurus hepatus

The Palette Surgeonfish is not common, but they sure stand out in the reef crowd. They are very hard to photograph. I got luck to find one on the upper reef feeding.

Blue-lined Surgeonfish

Scientific name: Acanthurus lineatus

The Blue-lined surgeonfish is a bit more solitary than other surgeonfish. In fact, it's reported to be quite territorial, although it can't do the damage to divers that triggers can do.