Care: 
Intermediate
Diet: 
Algivorous
Light: 
Medium
Place of origin: 
Western Indian Ocean
AKA: 
Acanthurus argenteus - Acanthurus ctenodon - Acanthurus flavoguttatus - Acanthurus ketlitzii - Acanthurus striatus - Acronurus argenteus - Cteno
Indo-West Pacific, known from Maldives and Sri Lanka to the Pacific. This form or colour-morph is usually referred to as the juvenile stage of Ctenochaetus striatus . However, the head of C.striatus has numerous small yellow to orange spots, even when juvenile, and if these are lacking in this form, it needs further investigation. It occurs in silty coastal habitats, as well as along outer reef slopes, sometimes forming large schools. Identified by the 10-12 bright orange lines and irridescent  blue fin margins. Length to about 20cm.
The common name "surgeonfish" is derived from a characteristic that clearly distinguishes Acanthuridae from other fish families: the spines or "scalpels" on the caudal peduncle, one or more on each side. Based primarily on differences in this characteristic, the family can be divided into three subfamilies: The Acanthurinae, in which the peduncular spine  rests in a groove and can be erected in defence during the fights, the Nasinae and Prionurinae in which the peduncular feature is arranged as one or more fixed blades on each side, that are sharp and elongate with age.