Sealife guideThe Acanthuriformes orderThe taxonomy of marine species

Explore the taxonomy of the sea vertebrates including the cetaceans like the whales or the dolphins, the sea birds, the fish, the sharks and the sea turtles !
The order Acanthuriformes consists of tropical marine fish known for their vibrant colors and diverse shapes, including surgeonfish, angelfish and butterflyfish, commonly found in coral reefs. These species are distinguished by unique features such as sharp spines on their tails or angular body shapes, playing a key role in maintaining the ecological balance of reefs.
The Acanthuridae family includes tropical marine fish known as surgeonfish and unicornfish, commonly found in coral reefs. These fish are characterized by their laterally compressed bodies and the presence of one or more sharp spines near the base of their tails, which they use for both defense and territorial assertion.
Black-spot surgeonfish (Acanthurus bariene)
Black-spot surgeonfish
(Acanthurus bariene)
Blue tang surgeonfish (Acanthurus coeruleus)
Blue tang surgeonfish
(Acanthurus coeruleus)
Bluetail unicornfish (Naso caeruleacauda)
Bluetail unicornfish
(Naso caeruleacauda)
Humpback unicornfish (Naso brachycentron)
Humpback unicornfish
(Naso brachycentron)
Indian sailfin surgeonfish (Zebrasoma desjardinii)
Indian sailfin surgeonfish
(Zebrasoma desjardinii)
Japanese surgeonfish (Acanthurus japonicus)
Japanese surgeonfish
(Acanthurus japonicus)
Kole tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus)
Kole tang
(Ctenochaetus strigosus)
Mimic surgeonfish (Acanthurus pyroferus)
Mimic surgeonfish
(Acanthurus pyroferus)
Ocean tang (Acanthurus bahianus)
Ocean tang
(Acanthurus bahianus)
Orangeband surgeonfish (Acanthurus olivaceus)
Orangeband surgeonfish
(Acanthurus olivaceus)
Orangespine unicornfish (Naso lituratus)
Orangespine unicornfish
(Naso lituratus)
Palelipped surgeonfish (Acanthurus leucocheilus)
Palelipped surgeonfish
(Acanthurus leucocheilus)
Paletail unicornfish (Naso brevirostris)
Paletail unicornfish
(Naso brevirostris)
Palette surgeonfish (Paracanthurus hepatus)
Palette surgeonfish
(Paracanthurus hepatus)
Powder blue tang (Acanthurus leucosternon)
Powder blue tang
(Acanthurus leucosternon)
Sailfin tang (Zebrasoma velifer)
Sailfin tang
(Zebrasoma velifer)

Our latestUpdates

The queen triggerfish
Tuesday, September 16th 2025
The queen triggerfish
Discover the queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula), a colorful Atlantic reef fish known for its strong jaws, unique feeding techniques and fascinating reproductive habits.
The bump-head sunfish
Friday, September 5th 2025
The bump-head sunfish
Learn about the bump-head sunfish (Mola alexandrini), the world's heaviest bony fish, its habitat in tropical and temperate oceans, diet of jellyfish, deep-water behavior and record size over 6,000 lbs.
The chocolate chip sea cucumber
Wednesday, September 3rd 2025
The chocolate chip sea cucumber
The chocolate chip sea cucumber has a massive cylindrical body that is beige in color, covered with a set of dark brown pustules resembling chocolate chips that protrude slightly from the surface, giving it a resemblance to a cookie, hence its french name. It can reach a length of about 12 inches when fully grown.
Photo of the Day
Baleine de minke naine (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
Baleine de minke naine
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata)