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Acanthuridae facts for kids

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Acanthuridae
Acanthurussohal-ArabischerDoktor.jpg
Sohal surgeonfish, Acanthurus sohal
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Suborder:
Acanthuroidei
Family:
Acanthuridae

Bonaparte, 1832

Acanthuridae (say: Ah-kan-THOO-ri-day) is a family of amazing fish often called surgeonfish, tangs, or unicornfish. There are about 86 different kinds, or species, of these fish alive today.

These fish live in the ocean, mostly in warm, tropical areas. You can often find them swimming around colorful coral reefs. Many surgeonfish have bright colors, which makes them popular to keep in aquariums.

One really special thing about this fish family is that they have sharp, blade-like spines near their tail. These spines look a bit like a surgeon's scalpel, which is how they got the name "surgeonfish"!

What are Surgeonfish?

Surgeonfish are a group of marine fish. They are known for their unique body shapes and often vibrant colors. They play an important role in coral reef ecosystems. They help keep the reefs clean by eating algae.

Their Special Spines

The most famous feature of surgeonfish is the sharp spine on each side of their tail. This spine is usually folded down into a groove. But if the fish feels threatened, it can stick the spine out. This helps them defend themselves from predators. It's like a built-in knife!

Acanthurus achilles1
Acanthurus achilles, a type of surgeonfish.
Blue tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) 02
The Paracanthurus hepatus, also known as the Blue Tang.

How Big Do They Get?

Most surgeonfish are not very big. They usually grow to be about 15 to 40 centimeters (6 to 15 inches) long. That's about the length of a school ruler!

However, some types, like the Prionorus or Naso (unicornfish) groups, can grow much larger. Some unicornfish can even reach lengths of over 60 centimeters (2 feet)!

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Acantúridos para niños

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