Order:               Acanthuriformes

Etymology     

  • Greek, akantha = thorn + oura = tail

General           

  • Members of the family Acanthuridae include surgeonfishes, tangs, and unicornfishes.
  • These fishes are popular in home aquariums.
  • 6 Genera, 84 species

Characteristics         

  • Many species have bright colours and are popular aquarium fishes.
  • All have a laterally deep compressed body with the eye high on the head and a long preorbital bone.
  • A small terminal mouth with a single row of specialized close-set teeth usually used for grazing on benthic algae.
  • Single continuous unnotched dorsal fin with 4-9 spines and 19-31 rays; anal fin with 2 (only Naso) or 3 spines and 19-36 rays; pelvic fins with 1 spine and 3 (Naso and Paracanthurus) or 5 rays.
  • Strong pectoral fins for maneuverability
  • Very small ctenoid scales.
  • Surgeon fishes have a distinctive sharp, scalpel-like caudal spine on each side of the caudal peduncle used for defense to slash other fishes by a rapid side sweep of the tail.

 

Divided into 13 Families (Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. (2026))

Family:        Acanthuridae                             Surgeonfishes, Tangs, Unicornfishes


Acanthurus bariene _ Eyespot Surgeonfish                       Acanthurus dussumieri _ Eyestrips Surgeonfish             Acanthurus mata _ Yellowmask Surgeonfish

Acanthurus_bariene___Eyespot_Surgeonfish___Tulamben_Indonesia_16102011          Acanthurus_bdussumieri___Eyestrips_Surgeonfish___Kubu_Indonesia___17092015      Acanthurus_mata___Yellowmask_Surgeonfish__Nusa_Penida_Indonesia___23102023

Photo taken Tulamben Indonesia on 16102011               Photo taken Kubu Indonesia on 17092015                       Photo taken Nusa Penida_Indonesia on 23102023

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family:        Antigoniidae                               Deep Sea Boarfishes

Family:        Caproidae                                  Boarfishes

Family:        Chaetodontidae                         Butterflyfishes

Family:        Drepaneidae                              Sicklefishes          

Family:        Ephippidae                                 Spadefishes

Family:        Leiognathidae                            Ponyfishes                                                                                    

Family:        Lobotidae                                   Tripletails                             

Family:        Luvaridae                                   Louvars

Family:        Pomacanthidae                          Angelfishes

Family:        Scatophagidae                           Scats         

Family:        Siganidae                                   Rabbitfishes

Family:        Zanclidae                                   Moorish Idols

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

  • Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. (2026). FishBase. Acanthuriformes. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1517548 on 2026-02-18

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