Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus)

Scientific name: Acanthurus chirurgus Bloch, 1787

The Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–25°C (72–77°F). Native range: Western Atlantic, Massachusetts (USA), Bermuda, and the northern Gulf of Mexico to S?o Paulo, Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Senegal.

Doctorfish care at a glance

Temperature: 22–25°C (72–77°F)

Biology

Inhabits shallow reefs or rocky areas. Found in loose aggregations. Mainly diurnal. Ingests sand when feeding on algae. The spine on both sides of the caudal peduncle may inflict painful wounds. Minimum depth reported from. Larvae are planktonic. At Fernando de Noronha Archipelago in southwestern Atlantic, juveniles hold cleaning stations together with the blue tang (Acanthurus coeruleus) and sergeant major (Abudefduf saxatilis) and graze algae as well as pick molted skin and parasites from green turtles (Chelonia mydas). This behavior is preceded by a characteristic inspection usually followed by feeding nips on the turtles? skin (head, limbs, and tail), as well as on the carapace. The most inspected and cleaned body parts are the flippers.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Acanthurus chirurgus
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 39.0
Common length: 35.0
Depth range: 2–25 m (7–82 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 25 m, usually 2 - 15 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Massachusetts (USA), Bermuda, and the northern Gulf of Mexico to S?o Paulo, Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Senegal.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Traumatogenic
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.25-0.50)