Ocean Surgeonfish
Ocean Surgeonfish, At Night
| Name: | Ocean Surgeonfish |
| Scientific Name: | Acanthurus tractus |
| Family: | Surgeonfishes |
| Taxonomic: | Acanthuridae |
| ID Group: | Large Oval Fishes |
| Size: | 6 - 12 in. |
| Depth Range: | In shallow waters (0 – 15 ft.) |
| Sightings: | Seen many times |
The Ocean Surgeonfish has a smooth, uniform body that can be bluish-gray or dark brown, sometimes with subtle stripes. The sharp, blade-like spine at the tail base resembles a surgeon’s scalpel and is often encircled by a pale or blue ring. Short blue lines radiate outward from the eye, and the edges of its tail and other fins are outlined in blue. It also has a pale bar at the base of the tail, just before the spine.
The Ocean Surgeonfish is often found in small groups, sometimes with Blue Tangs and Doctorfish, where it grazes on algae scraped from rocks, corals, and sandy rubble. This helps control the growth of algae that could otherwise smother the coral. Spawning occurs in groups, releasing eggs and sperm that float in the open water.