Acanthurinae

Arabian Surgeonfish

Scalpel surgeonfish ( Acanthurinae ) are the largest subfamily of surgeonfish. It contains 5 of the 6 genera of this family.

The doctor fish have a sharp scalpel " scalpel " to the tail, with which they can defend themselves and also injure people. The scalpels are often highlighted in color and therefore easy to recognize. Due to their attractive coloration scalpel surgeon fish are often shown in public aquaria.

Scalpel surgeon fish, with the exception of the plankton -eating fish range Doctor ( Paracanthurus hepatus ) herbivores and graze algae from coral reefs.

System

In the internal systematics of the scalpel surgeonfish three tribes are distinguished which Prionurinae with the genus Prionurus that Zebrasomini with the genera Paracanthurus and zebrasoma and Acanthurini with the genera Acanthurus and Ctenochaetus.

True surgeonfish ( Acanthurus )

Bristle tooth doctor fish ( Ctenochaetus )

Palette surgeonfish ( Paracanthurus )

Segelflossendoktor fish ( zebrasoma )

Sägedoktorfische ( genus Prionurus )

Nose surgeonfish ( Nasinae )