convict surgeonfish

The convict surgeonfish lives up to its name with bold vertical stripes running across a silvery body, making it unmistakable on the reef. These small surgeonfish, growing to around 20 cm, school in shallow coral and rocky areas across the Indo-Pacific, grazing on algae and detritus. They are named for the sharp, venomous spines on either side of the tail—a defensive weapon typical of surgeonfish—which can inflict painful cuts if handled.