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Razor surgeonfish (Prionurus laticlavius) — Acanthuridae

Razor surgeonfish

Prionurus laticlavius
Family: Acanthuridae

The Razor surgeonfish (Prionurus laticlavius) is a saltwater fish of the family Acanthuridae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–30.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Razor surgeonfish is a sawtail surgeonfish (Acanthuridae) from the eastern Pacific, around the Galapagos. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a deep, grey body. The grey body has a yellow tail and a row of black keel-plates before the tail. On each side of the tail base sits a row of sharp, fixed bony keel-plates that can inflict a cut; handle with care. As a reef-dweller it grazes algae.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Razor surgeonfish?

The Razor surgeonfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Razor surgeonfish live?

The Razor surgeonfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Razor surgeonfish get?

The Razor surgeonfish grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Razor surgeonfish dangerous to humans?

The Razor surgeonfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Razor surgeonfish edible?

Yes, the Razor surgeonfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Galapagos-zaagstaart sourced
English name
Razor surgeonfish sourced
Scientific name
Prionurus laticlavius
Family
Acanthuridae
Other names
Razor surgeonfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Prionurus

More from the family Acanthuridae

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