Lieutenant Surgeonfish (Acanthurus tennenti)

This fish makes its home in the Indian Ocean from East Africa to Sri Lanka. It likes to inhabit lagoons and seaward reefs to a depth of 60 feet and feed on benthic algae. When fully grown it reaches about 12 inches in length.

Surgeonfish are usually colorful, thin bodied, and have an oval shape. These fish have long continuous dorsal and anal fins and crescent tailfins. The scalpel at the base of their tailfin is very sharp and is used by the fish for protection from predators as well as a way of establishing itself with other fish. These fish are usually seen along reefs grazing on algae throughout the day.