Doctorfish © Shedd Aquarium
The Doctorfish, Acanthurus chirurgus, gets its name from a small, sharp spine-like
structure that lies along each side of the caudal peduncle. This is referred
to as a "scalpel", and is as sharp as its name suggests. It is used
during fights with other fish for dominance and for defense against predators.
The Doctorfish reaches lengths of 12 inches and can vary slightly in its overall
color. It can change from blue-gray to dark brown. It has from 10-12 thin, dark,
vertical bars visible on the sides. There is a faint blue ring that circles
the scalpel on each side. The edges of the anal, dorsal, and caudal fins are
blue, regardless of the body color. The Doctor fish lives in shallow areas of
reef or rocky habitats. The Doctorfish is a daytime grazer, feeding on mostly
algae and organic detritus. Its teeth, specialized for scraping algae, are spatula-like
in shape, close together, and notched on the edges.
- Acanthurus chirurgus, Doctorfish - MarineBio.org. Retrieved Wednesday, July 2, 2008, from http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=27.
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