Surgeonfish (Blue Tang)
About the Surgeonfish (Blue Tang)
Made famous by Dory in Finding Nemo. They have a razor-sharp spine near their tail that can deliver painful cuts - like a surgeons scalpel, hence the family name. They are bright blue as juveniles and can adjust their shade. They play a critical role in reef health by eating algae that would otherwise smother coral. They are sometimes found in schools of thousands. They can live 12+ years. They are popular aquarium fish. Finding Dory caused a spike in demand similar to the Nemo effect on clownfish. They sleep in crevices and change color to a lighter shade at night.
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