The blue tang surgeonfish is distinguished by its oval and flattened body covered with small, smooth scales. It features a bright blue color that intensifies with age and may have yellowish hues when it is young.

On each side of its tail, the blue tang surgeonfish has a sharp spine, resembling a scalpel, which helps it defend against predators.

The blue tang surgeonfish typically measures about 10 to 12 inches in length with a maximum size of up to 16 inches.

The blue tang surgeonfish is primarily found in the tropical waters of the western Atlantic ocean. Its range extends from the coasts of Florida and the Bahamas to the Caribbean, including the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles, as well as along the coasts of the Sargasso sea.

The blue tang surgeonfish typically inhabits coral reefs, seagrass beds and rocky areas where it hides in crevices. It is commonly found in shallow waters up to about 65 feet deep.

The blue tang surgeonfish is an omnivore with a strong herbivorous tendency. It primarily feeds on algae but also consumes small marine organisms.

The blue tang surgeonfish gets its name from the presence of a sharp, scalpel-like spine on either side of its tail which it uses to keep predators at bay !

The blue tang surgeonfish is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The blue tang surgeonfish appears in the IUCN Red List since 2012 within the category Least Concern !