Clown Surgeon Fish

Clown Surgeon Fish

Description of the Clown Surgeon Fish
The Clown Surgeon Fish is known by a variety of names including Striped Surgeon,  Lined Surgeonfish, Blue-banded Surgeonfish, Bluelined Surgeonfish and Bluebanded. The bottom part of its body is plain and the rest of its body is covered in yellow and blue stripes. It is a very territorial, its caudal spine is venomous and can give a painful wound.
 

Profile of the Clown Surgeon Fish
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Clown Surgeon Fish species.

• Size: Up to 38cm

• Fish Tank conditions: Temp 24-30 Degrees. PH 8.1 - 8.4

• Diet / Feeding: Plant based food (Herbivore) but also eats small crustaceans

• Temperament: Found in schools with a dominant male

• Habitat: Reef Dweller at depths of up to 15m

• Behaviour: Territorial Fish

• Range: Indo-Pacific

Scientific Classification of the Clown Surgeon Fish
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Acanthurus lineatus

• Popular Name: Clown Surgeonfish - Striped Surgeon - Lined Surgeonfish - Blue-banded Surgeonfish - Bluelined Surgeonfish - Bluebanded

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Perciformes

• Family: Acanthuridae

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Clown Surgeon Fish?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Clown Surgeon Fish slimy?
Clown Surgeon Fish secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Clown Surgeon Fish to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Clown Surgeon Fish have gills?
Gills enable the Clown Surgeon Fish to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Clown Surgeon Fish have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Clown Surgeon Fish has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Clown Surgeon Fish has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Clown Surgeon Fish has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

• Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Clown Surgeon Fish has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Clown Surgeon Fish