Ocean Surgeonfish

Acanthurus bahianus

Maximum Size:

15 in (38 cm)

Longevity:

Around 30 years.

Typical depth:

6–130 ft (2–40 m)

Behavior:

Adult surgeonfish often form large schools to graze on benthic algae and seagrasses in shallow coral reefs and inshore rocky areas. Juveniles rarely school, sheltering instead in the back reef. Researchers have observed spawning aggregations of up to 20,000 individuals in the winter months off Puerto Rico.

Predators:

Grouper, snapper, jacks, and barracuda.

Did you know?

Surgeonfish get their name from the two spines (or scalpels) located near the fish’s tail. The spine is used to defend against predators.