Doctorfish Profile

The Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus) is a marine species recognizable by its dark blue to brown body, accented with light blue to white horizontal stripes. It features a distinct spine on its caudal peduncle, resembling a surgeon's scalpel, which is a characteristic trait of the Acanthuridae family. Native to the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the eastern coast of the Americas to West Africa, this fish is common in reef environments. In the aquarium hobby, it is known but not as widely popular or commonly kept as some other marine species, partly due to its size and specific care requirements.