The surgeonfish is frequently the focal point of any aquarium due to its sleek body and vivid colors. This fish, which is well-known for its vibrant personality and eye-catching appearance, gives both home and commercial aquariums a dynamic touch.
Not only are these amazing animals visually pleasing, but they are crucial to the aquarium’s overall health. Because surgeonfish are grazers by nature, they help to regulate the amount of algae in the environment and preserve its equilibrium.
However, it’s crucial to comprehend the special requirements and behaviors of surgeonfish before introducing them to your tank. Caring for a surgeonfish may be a rewarding and difficult task, due to their unique dietary needs and social dynamics.
Feature | Description |
Appearance | Surgeonfish are known for their vibrant colors and sharp, scalpel-like spines on their tails. |
Behavior | These fish are active swimmers and often patrol their territory like a vigilant squire. |
Diet | Surgeonfish primarily feed on algae, helping to keep the aquarium clean. |
Tank Requirements | They need plenty of swimming space and a well-maintained environment to thrive. |
Compatibility | Surgeonfish are generally peaceful but may be territorial with similar species. |
- Appearance and varieties of surgeonfish
- Habitat in the wild
- Video – Attack of the surgeonfish
- Surgeonfish: keeping in an aquarium
- Aquarium requirements
- What to feed?
- Compatibility
- Diseases
- Expert opinion on the complexity of maintenance
- Reproduction of surgeons
- Reviews of aquarists about surgeonfish
- Video on the topic
- Aggressive fish (surgeonfish). Red Sea. Sharm El Sheikh. 4K
- "Reef Aquarium" Surgeonfish. Part 42
- Surgeonfish. Red Sea. Egypt
- hepatus | dory fish in an aquarium | blue surgeon fish | beautiful aquarium fish
- Attack of the FISH SURGEON in SHARM EL SHEIKH. Attack of the SURGEON FISH in SHARM EL SHEIKH.
- Surgeon fish sohal attacks a child !! Red Sea. (Video: Shakhov A. V., 04.12.2025.)
Appearance and varieties of surgeonfish
Surgeons have an ovoid body that is compressed from the sides. The fish can grow up to 40 cm in length, but there are also enormous specimens that are nearly one meter in size among the variety of species. The surgeon in the aquarium is typically no bigger than 16–18 cm in size. The surgeon’s sloping forehead, long anal, and dorsal fins are distinguishing characteristics. The fish can see perfectly in dark waters because of their large eyes.
There are more than 70 species in the Surgeon family. Let’s familiarize ourselves with the most well-liked ones among aquarists.
Surgeonfish species that are popular.
Kindly take note! Surgeon fish are essentially all the same in appearance. The only thing that can vary is the coloring—estuary, red, blue, with accents and tones, etc. Sharp, dangerous spikes that resemble razor blades are present on the sides. This is the reason the fish are referred to as surgeons (a surgical scalpel is another name for the spike).
The spikes are in a special pocket when there is no threat nearby, but they straighten out to provide protection if needed.
Surgeonfish, with their striking colors and distinctive, blade-like spines, are colorful and captivating additions to any aquarium. These fish are a rewarding choice for committed aquarium enthusiasts, but despite their beauty, they need careful handling and a well-maintained environment to thrive.
Habitat in the wild
The Great Barrier Reef, the Pacific Ocean, New Caledonia, and Samoa all have habitats for surgeon fish. They settle in rock crevices and between corals at a depth of up to 40 meters, preferring the outer slopes of coral reefs. Adults typically live alone or in pairs, while fry typically live in schools.
The surgeon’s natural diet consists of aquatic animals and plant materials like algae and detritus.
See also: Loach fish in aquariums. You should also read this article, which explains how to feed fish in an aquarium correctly.
Video – Attack of the surgeonfish
Surgeonfish: keeping in an aquarium
Since almost all surgeonfish arrive at pet stores directly from the ocean, they must undergo a challenging process of adaptation. You ought to give them the best keeping conditions possible to aid them in this.
Aquarium requirements
Since surgeonfish require a large area to swim freely, the aquarium should be sufficiently spacious. For a single person, this is:
- volume from 300 l;
- height 45-50 cm;
- width not less than 40 cm;
- length from 50 cm.
The aquarium’s water must always be of a high caliber or the surgeonfish will be more vulnerable to different illnesses. Installing a strong internal filter is what we advise doing to keep the water pure. Every week, the water has to be replaced to a volume of between thirty and fifty percent.
In order to provide the surgeonfish with a comfortable environment, you should maintain the following water parameters:
- temperature – 23-27 ° C;
- hardness – 8-12 dH;
- acidity – 8-8.4 pH;
- density – 1.024 units.
Ammonia and aluminum levels in the water ought to be very low. There should be adequate lighting.
Take note: The surgeon fish’s capacity to turn pale is one of its characteristics. However, this is simply a normal defensive response, so don’t worry.
In addition to being lovely, live stones in the aquarium will have practical uses. Thus, the tank will be as near to the coral reef’s natural ecosystem as feasible. Sea sponges, or polyps, are another option. In terms of plants, keep the number of caulerpa and chaetamorphs in the aquarium to a minimum because, as previously mentioned, surgeons enjoy having lots of room.
What to feed?
Being herbivores, surgeons enjoy a healthy diet. Fish needs to be fed three times a day, in little portions. Plant foods, such as lettuce, algae, and dandelion leaves that have been previously boiled, make up the majority of the diet. Using a special clamp that attaches to the glass with a suction cup and holds the food makes feeding the fish nori seaweed easier.
Kindly take note! Because surgeonfish consume aquarium algae and reef materials, it is necessary to regularly replenish the plants while also keeping a close eye on the tank’s cleanliness.
Dry food can also be used. In any event, one-third of the fish’s diet should be live food; the following types are best:
- shrimp;
- squid meat;
- mussels.
Surgeonfish with healthy nutrition will have a stronger immune system and a more saturated color.
Compatibility
As was previously mentioned, the majority of surgeonfish species prefer to live alone and react violently to family members. Compatibility is affected by various factors, specifically these:
- aquarium volume;
- feeding;
- temperament;
- age;
- availability of shelters, etc.
Additionally, there are peaceful (non-conflicting) species of surgeonfish:
- the most peaceful of them are white-breasted, blue;
- blue surgeonfish gets along well with angelfish, wrasse, anthias;
- Arabian surgeonfish, zebrafish should be kept one at a time.
Diseases
Surgeonfish are highly vulnerable to several serious illnesses, including:
- velvet disease (oodiniasis). At the initial stages, the fish scratch themselves against various objects, a gray powdery rash appears on the fins and body. After some time, the outer cover peels off, the interradial tissue of the fins is destroyed, all this is accompanied by abundant mucus secretion;
- Marine ichthyophthirius. The body of the sick fish is covered with numerous small white spots – first on the fins, and then on the entire body.
A sick surgeonfish needs to be removed from a public aquarium and kept in quarantine for ten to fourteen days while receiving medical attention.
The fish can be put back in the aquarium after being recovered. Take extra care when selecting specimens when purchasing surgeons! The fish’s body length should be at least 7 cm, and it should be lively and well-fed. A two-week quarantine period should be applied to every fish that is purchased; this is an efficient way to prevent disease.
Kindly take note! Apart from the diseases mentioned above, surgeon fish are also susceptible to fin rot and erosion of the head and lateral line.
Expert opinion on the complexity of maintenance
After many observations, seasoned aquarium keepers have determined that the most challenging phase of maintaining surgeons is the initial period of acclimating to new surroundings following acquisition. The fish’s weakened immune system explains this. However, there won’t be any unique challenges in providing care for this species after the adaptation phase ends.
Reproduction of surgeons
Although it is very difficult to get offspring from a surgeon in an aquarium, there have been cases where fry have been successfully withdrawn. The first step in getting results is to create an environment that is as close to the surgeonfish’s natural habitat as possible. The enormous volume of the aquarium plays a significant part in this, which is frequently very challenging to accomplish at home.
Be aware that a surgeonfish reaches sexual maturity after a year. However, sexual distinctions are not displayed: the male and female can only be identified by the change in color during mating.
Following mating, the female deposits roughly 30,000 tiny, less than one-millimeter-diameter eggs on broad algae. The development of embryos lasts for several days. Unlike adults, surgeonfish fry lack any poisonous spines and are nearly transparent. You should take phytoplankton to feed the fries.
Reviews of aquarists about surgeonfish
Review of the blue (royal) surgeonfish by Konstantin Skitetsky:
A fish with a lovely color and a calm, good nature that enjoys sleeping in a stone hole. Almost everything is consumed; other fish are left alone. Even so, it might occasionally pursue the same surgeon.
Review of the blue (royal) surgeon by Viktor Sotnichenko:
Its color is particularly lovely under favorable lighting. The fish’s behavior is dull and uninteresting; it merely swims back and forth in the aquarium. I don’t know about other surgeons, but I find mine to be pretty dull, especially in comparison to predators who exhibit far more intelligence and fascinating behavior. Only those who enjoy screensaver fish—that is, fish with a background function—should purchase, in my opinion.
Olga Alekseeva, yellow-tailed zebrasoma review:
«Nice and lovely zebrasoma. enjoys eating salad, which, among other things, takes the place of frozen food. Occasionally experiences yellow zebrasoma attacks.
A fascinating addition to any aquarium, surgeonfish liven up the underwater environment with vibrant colors and exuberant energy. They are distinguished from other fish species by their distinctive qualities, which range from their eye-catching appearance to their lively behavior.
Surgeonfish maintenance involves careful attention to detail, particularly with regard to their diet and aquarium conditions. But if you put in the work, it will pay off handsomely because these fish can grow to be the main attraction in your aquarium.
Surgeonfish are a great option if you want to bring a bit of the ocean into your house. Their presence gives your aquarium a more lively and captivating aquatic experience in addition to enhancing its aesthetic appeal.