Convict Surgeonfish swarming over the reef

Convict Surgeonfish swarming over the reef

A swarm of Convict Surgeon fish darting across the coral reef, nearly obscuring the corals. Convict Surgeonfish often form into schools, feeding on algae in large aggregations, often where freshwater runs off into the sea. The whitish-yellow colour, combined with the zebra like black stripes have earned it the name of Convict Surgeonfish or Convict Tang. The name surgeonfish is derived from the extremely sharp scalpel-like spines that all surgeonfish have on either side of their tails. Despite their lethal sounding name however, surgeonfish are grazers, feeding mostly on algae growing on coral reefs.

Individually crafted - we take pride in our unique collection of underwater photography. Our high quality photo prints featuring pictures of tropical fish are printed individually to order.

Convict Surgeonfish Facts
Other names: Fiveband Surgeonfish, Convict Tang, Manini
Scientific name: Acanthurus triostegus
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Max. size: 27 cm
Depth: 0 - 90 metres
Diet: Filamentous algae
Habitat: Lagoons, seaward reefs, tide pools
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: throughout the region, including Yemen but not the seas around the Arabian Peninsula. Eastern Pacific: lower Gulf of California to Panama, including the Revillagigedo, Cocos, Clipperton, and Galapagos islands.
Conservation: Least Concern