Acanthuridae

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Acanthuridae (surgeonfish, doctorfish; subclass Actinopterygii, order Perciformes) Large family of slab-sided fish that have a sharp spine on each side of the tail-base (hence the name ‘surgeonfish’). The spine is retractable in some species. Many species exhibit striking colour patterns. There are about 80 species, found in all tropical seas; many feed on organisms that cover the surface or rocks, or on sea-grasses.