Scalpel sawtail (Prionurus scalprum)

Scientific name: Prionurus scalprum Valenciennes, 1835

The Scalpel sawtail (Prionurus scalprum) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Northwest Pacific, Matsushima Bay, Japan to Taiwan.

Scalpel sawtail care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-24; Anal spines: 3 - 4; Anal soft rays: 21 - 23. Body roundish in young becoming ovate with age. Dorsal and ventral profiles about even. Forehead without rostral prominence even in adult. caudal peduncle relatively deep and compressed without dorsal and ventral precaudal depressions.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Prionurus scalprum
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 50.0
Environment: Marine; reef-associated, usually 2 - 20 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Northwest Pacific: Matsushima Bay, Japan to Taiwan.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Venomous
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)