Dr. Áthila Bertoncini Andrade, Brasilien
Info
Acanthurus chirurgus (Bloch, 1787)
Inhabits shallow reefs or rocky areas. Found in loose aggregations. Ingests sand when feeding on algae. The spine on both sides of the caudal peduncle may inflict painful wounds.
The surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), popular in marine aquaristics, are also called surgeonfishes.
They have horn-like blades in front of the tail root, they use as mainly defensive weapon (defense) against predators, but this sharp weapon is also used in fights among themselves.
Deep cuts in the body of opponents can cause permanent injuries, but often death occurs immediately.
If surgeonfishes are to be kept in pairs in an aquarium, fights between the fishes can be the order of the day, we could observe this several times with the very popular Hawaiian surgeonfish (Zebrasoma flavescens).
The scalpel-like blades can cause deep cuts, this is also true for the careless aquarist who wants to touch or catch the fish with unprotected hands.
Another problem can occur if one wants to catch surgeonfish with a landing net and transfer them after catching, the horn blade can easily get caught in the net.
Caution: Careless handling of the animal can cause deep cuts!
Synonymised names
Acanthurus chirurgicus (Bloch, 1787) · unaccepted (misspelling)
Acanthurus phlebotomus Valenciennes, 1835 · unaccepted
Chaetodon chirurgus Bloch, 1787 · unaccepted
Inhabits shallow reefs or rocky areas. Found in loose aggregations. Ingests sand when feeding on algae. The spine on both sides of the caudal peduncle may inflict painful wounds.
The surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), popular in marine aquaristics, are also called surgeonfishes.
They have horn-like blades in front of the tail root, they use as mainly defensive weapon (defense) against predators, but this sharp weapon is also used in fights among themselves.
Deep cuts in the body of opponents can cause permanent injuries, but often death occurs immediately.
If surgeonfishes are to be kept in pairs in an aquarium, fights between the fishes can be the order of the day, we could observe this several times with the very popular Hawaiian surgeonfish (Zebrasoma flavescens).
The scalpel-like blades can cause deep cuts, this is also true for the careless aquarist who wants to touch or catch the fish with unprotected hands.
Another problem can occur if one wants to catch surgeonfish with a landing net and transfer them after catching, the horn blade can easily get caught in the net.
Caution: Careless handling of the animal can cause deep cuts!
Synonymised names
Acanthurus chirurgicus (Bloch, 1787) · unaccepted (misspelling)
Acanthurus phlebotomus Valenciennes, 1835 · unaccepted
Chaetodon chirurgus Bloch, 1787 · unaccepted
