Vegetarian with a scalpel: a surgeon fish

The rich underwater world of the Red Sea attracts tourists from all over the world. Amazing underwater beauties contributed to the development of diving here. But the underwater kingdom is fraught with many dangers. The surgeon fish poses a real threat to divers studying coral reefs. Everyone is afraid of it.

The fish surgeon floats in the depths of the sea with a "scalpel" on the tail - with sharp bone growths. In a calm state, the knife-like spike is firmly pressed against the body of the fish. In case of danger, it straightens forward or in the side.

More than 70 species of these fish are known. They live on coral and rocky coasts. Among them there are zealous territorial individualists (Arabian surgeon).

These dangerous fish of the Red Sea are zealously guarding their territory from uninvited guests. And if the caviar has already been laid, then it will be fatal. Especially risk lovers to stand on a coral stove, touch or feed the fish. Attacks her at first seem "childish," she tries to slightly bite her fins. If you brush it off, you can slip seriously. Dodge is useless - the surgeon fish is very agile.

The most interesting representatives of this species are unicorn fish having a horn-shaped growth on the forehead (at the sexual maturity). In the Red Sea, there are four known species of unicorns.

Why do these fish need thorns, blades, sharp plates and horns? Surgeons do not use this formidable weapon for hunting - they are herbivores. But sharp blades protect them from attack by predators. The fish surgeon protrudes the plates and strikes the tail. Such an attack from a large specimen can cause a serious injury to a curious diver. But more often these "scalpels" help the fish in competition with relatives. Who they are sharper, brighter, and the horns are larger, the same "cool", and partners in spawning are more attractive and the territory for food is better.

Security measures:

The underwater world of the Red Sea is full of many beautiful creatures and unusual creatures. The inhabitants of the Red Sea differ not only in beauty. Many of them are dangerous and poisonous. But do not, of course, because of this refuse to visit this beautiful place. It is necessary only to exercise care and caution while staying in the water and on the beach. Especially be careful with the stones and do not stand on them - one of them can be a fish. Do not delve into corals - a favorite place for many dangerous marine inhabitants.

One should not snatch and feed fish from their hands, although they are very curious and are not afraid of swimmers. This seemingly innocent occupation can turn into a tragedy.

Content in captivity:

Aquarists loved these fish for their colorful color and small size. But their content in captivity is problematic.

1. They are very demanding on the conditions of detention. The aquarium should always be perfectly clean. 2. On sale there are usually fish-surgeons caught in the sea, so it is difficult for them to adapt to the new conditions. 3. Males can be very aggressive towards neighbors in the aquarium, perceiving them as competitors. Few people manage to create all the conditions for a comfortable life of these unusual fish.