Surgeon Fish (Acanthurus dussumieri)

The tail of a surgeonfish can be flicked about rapidly when the fish perceives a threat,the sharp spines near the tail causing serious lacerations to the flesh of the perceived attacker. The pain associated with such injuries may last for hours or even days, a fact which suggests that there may be venom associated with the spines. The cutting of flesh in its defensive behaviour is what gives this fish its common name, and also the other names it goes by - the doctor fish and the spinetail.