The acanthurids or surgeon fish are marine fish , have a morphology that makes them unique feature, two cutting scalpels located on either side of peduncle flow , which can cause serious injury to a beginner acuarófilo … even expert.
It is precisely the presence of scalpels that gives the Acanturidae the nickname of surgeonfish.
This species of fish has other common morphological characteristics, such as a small mouth, full of equally dangerous serrated teeth.
Although in nature they are fish that feed on vegetables and small crustaceans , they would be able to devour large prey if necessary.
They need an aquarium of good dimensions, since they are tireless swimmers.
The water must be well filtered, well aerated and the aquarium must have good lighting, which favors the appearance of green algae.
They are aggressive with other species , even between specimens of the same species.
Blue surgeonfish
Acanthurus coeruleus
Although they can reach 75 centimeters in the sea, in aquariums they do not exceed 20 centimeters . As its name suggests, it is luminous blue in color.
It is a fish that is difficult to acclimatise, although once achieved, it is quite resistant.
Their diet must be vegetarian: seaweed, vegetables, even some shrimp.
See file: Blue surgeonfish
Yellow Surgeonfish
Zebrasoma flavescens
It is a herbivorous surgeonfish, native to the Hawaiian Islands and the Indian Ocean region. It is a spectacular bright yellow color.
As with most surgeonfish, it is difficult to acclimatize, but once achieved we have a very resistant fish.
You can swim in a group without problems, for which we need a tank of about 2,000 liters, 800 if we talk about a single fish.
Royal Surgeonfish
Paracanthurus hepatus
Do you remember the famous Dory, the Dory fish from the Disney cartoons? Well yes, he was a real surgeon, just like Nemo, he was a clown fish .
The royal surgeon is a native of East Africa and it is possible to find it even in the Philippines.
Its colors are its hallmark, it is blue with a yellow fin.
It is not like the rest of the surgeons, it is much more peaceful and can live in a spacious pond with others of the same species.
In aquariums, it usually reaches 18 centimeters. We will need an aquarium of at least 800 liters.
