The surgeonfish, also known as the blue tang, is a tropical fish that lives in areas such as Japan, East Africa, Samoa, New Caledonia, and even the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. They change color when spawning, from a deep blue to a pale blue.

Where are surgeonfish found?

Location. Blue Tang Surgeonfish can be found in shallow marine reefs throughout the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. Although these fish are most common in the Caribbean, coastal Florida, and the Bahamas.

Why are they called surgeonfish?

Surgeonfish get their name from the scalpel-like spines along the top and bottom of their bodies. These fish have a sharp and venomous spine at the base of their caudal fin, or tail fin, to protect themselves from predators.