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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Doctorfish tang

Doctorfish
Doctorfish tang by xinmincat

Acanthurus chirurgus, commonly called the Doctor fish and the Doctorfish tang in English or the Barbero rayado and the Cirujano rayado in Spanish, is a tropical marine fish common in the Atlantic Ocean.

Reaching a maximum size of 39 cm and 5.1 kg, Acanthurus chirurgus gets its common name for the structures called “scalpels”, which are found on either side of the caudal peduncle. The “scalpel”, is used during fights with other Doctor fish and as a defense mechanism against predators.

Its coloration generally varies from blue-gray to dark brown. Even with this variety of colors, 10 to 12 vertical bars are always present, no matter how faint. Also regardless of body color, the edges of the caudal, dorsal, and anal fins are blue. There is also a faint blue ring that can be seen encircling the “scalpel” on either side.

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