Surgeonfish
Acanthurus sohal
The sohal surgeonfish, also called the sohal tang, is a marine ray-finned fish in the family Acanthuridae, the group that contains surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. It is native to the northwestern Indian Ocean.
Family
Acanthuridae
Avg Size
30-40 cm
Habitat
This surgeonfish is endemic to the northwestern Indian Ocean, occurring in the Red Sea and eastward along the Arabian Peninsula to the Persian Gulf. It was recorded in the Mediterranean in 2017 and 2018, having arrived either as a released aquarium fish or via the Suez Canal from the Red Sea. It typically lives along the outer margins of fringing reefs that are exposed to wave surge, generally down to around 20 m (66 ft).
Behaviour
The sohal surgeonfish may be found alone or in small schools and is notably territorial; the spine on its tail base is reported to carry venom. It grazes on algae attached to hard surfaces, and although it is largely solitary, individuals will band together to feed within the territories of other fish. A holder defends its territory to protect food resources and may spend considerable time patrolling or sheltering beyond its boundaries.
Where & When to See It
Daedalus Reef
Habili Gaffar
Siyul Kebira
Abu Nuhas
Abu Kifan
Salem Express
Sha'ab Sharm
Bluff Point
Panorama Reef
Kimon M
The Barge at Bluff Point
Shaab El Erg
Giannis D
Careless Reef
Rosalie Moller
The Ulysses
Thistlegorm
Carnatic
Chrisoula K
Shabrur Um Gamar
Turtle Reef
Umm Gamar South
Shag Rock (Kingston)
Umm Kharalim
Gota Soraya
Habili Ali
Hamda
Jackfish Alley
Jackson Reef
Kormoran
Laguna Reef
Little Brother Island
Middle Garden
Moray Garden - Golden Blocks
Napoleon Reef
Near Garden
North Gabr El Bint
North Ras Abu Galum
Numidia
Paradise
Pinky Wall
Ras Abu Helal
Ras Burg
Ras Disha
Ras Ghozlani
Ras Nasrani
Ras Zaatar
Shaab Abu Nugar
Shaab Eissa
Shaab Eshta
Shaab Petra
Shaab Sabina
Shaab Sataya
Shark Observatory
Shark's Bay
Small Crack
Sodfa
Soma Bay Garden
South Ras Abu Galum
Temple
The Alternatives
The Canyon
The Caves
The Islands
Three Pools
Tower
Turft El Shahed
White Knight
Woodhouse Reef
Zabargad Island
Dunraven (Beacon Rock)
El Mina Wreck
Erg Abu Ramada
Erg Somaya
Gota Kebir
Lighthouse
Abu Dabbab
Ras Ghamila
Ras Katy
Ras Um Sid
Rocky Island
Sha'ab Samadai (Dolphin House)
Shaab Claudia
Shaab Maksur
Shark & Yolanda Reef
Small Giftun
Thomas Reef
Turtle Bay
Umm Gamar North
Ras Bob
Abu Ghalawa
Abu Hashish
Abu Ramada North
Abu Ramada South
Aida
Amphoras
Banana Reef
Belina Wreck
Big Brother Island
Big Giftun
Blue Hole - El Bells
Eel Garden
Eel Gardens
El Erug
El Fanadir
El Fanous West
Elphinstone
Erg Sabina
Far Garden
Fiddle Garden
Fury Shoals
Gordon Reef
Gota Abu Ramada