Acanthuridae facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Acanthuridae
Sohal surgeonfish, Acanthurus sohal
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Suborder:	Acanthuroidei
Family:	Acanthuridae Bonaparte, 1832

Acanthuridae is the family of surgeonfish, tangs, and unicornfish.

The family includes about 86 living species. It is made up of marine fish living in tropical seas, usually around coral reefs. Many of the species are brightly colored and popular for aquaria.

One of the characteristics of this family is that they have spines on the tail (also known as "thorn tail").

Size

Most species of the family are of small size, between 15-40 cm (6-15 in), but the genera Prionorus or Naso can be larger.

Acanthurus achilles, from genus Acanthurus

Paracanthurus hepatus, a poison fish.

Images for kids

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  The exposed spine of the surgeonfish species Acanthurus xanthopterus
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  1865 watercolor of an Acanthurus by Jacques Burkhardt.

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  Eyestripe surgeonfish, Acanthurus dussumieri

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  Powderblue surgeonfish, Acanthurus leucosternon

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  Doubleband surgeonfish, Acanthurus tennenti

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  Kole tang, Ctenochaetus strigosus

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  Bignose unicornfish, Naso vlamingii

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  Bluespine unicornfish, Naso unicornis

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  Red Sea sailfin tang, Zebrasoma desjardinii

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  Orangespot surgeonfish, Acanthurus olivaceus, being cleaned by two Hawaiian cleaner wrasse, Labroides phthirophagus

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  Regal tang, Paracanthurus hepatus in an aquarium

See also

In Spanish: Acanthuridae para niños