Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Acipenseriformes
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Genus
- Acanthurus
- Species
- chirurgus
Habitat
Doctorfish primarily inhabit coral reefs, rocky substrates, and seagrass beds in shallow tropical waters, usually at depths of 3 to 30 meters. They are commonly found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from the southeastern United States to Brazil, preferring areas with abundant algae for feeding.
Diet
Doctorfish mainly consume algae, including filamentous and turf varieties, which they scrape off rocks and corals using their specialized teeth. They are diurnal feeders, actively grazing during the day to maximize food intake while minimizing exposure to predators. Occasionally, they may eat small invertebrates if available.
Behavior
Doctorfish are diurnal and often form schools for protection while foraging, but they can become territorial around prime feeding spots. They exhibit quick, darting movements to evade threats and use their tail spines aggressively when cornered. These fish are generally peaceful but may interact aggressively with others of their species during mating or feeding.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.