Doctor Fish
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
Shag Rock (Kingston)
North Gabr El Bint
North Ras Abu Galum
Numidia
South Ras Abu Galum
The Barge at Bluff Point
The Canyon
The Caves
The Ulysses
Thistlegorm
Three Pools
Panorama Reef
Carnatic
Chrisoula K
Ras Abu Helal
Giannis D
Umm Kharalim
Abu Ghalawa
Abu Nuhas
Gota Kebir
Gota Soraya
Abu Kifan
Habili Gaffar
Eel Gardens
Salem Express
Big Brother Island
Sha'ab Sharm
Shaab Claudia
Kimon M
Aida
Lighthouse
Rosalie Moller
Shaab Sataya
Shaab El Erg
Shaab Maksur
Little Brother Island
Blue Hole - El Bells
The Islands
Moray Garden - Golden Blocks
Napoleon Reef
Bluff Point
Siyul Kebira
Soma Bay Garden
Tower
Turft El Shahed
Turtle Bay
Turtle Reef
Umm Gamar South
Woodhouse Reef
Amphoras
Careless Reef
El Fanadir
Erg Abu Ramada
Erg Sabina
Erg Somaya
Fiddle Garden
Gordon Reef
Jackson Reef
Laguna Reef
Ras Nasrani
Ras Zaatar
Shaab Abu Nugar
Shaab Petra
Temple
The Alternatives
Thomas Reef
Umm Gamar North
Abu Dabbab
White Knight
Abu Hashish
Abu Ramada North
Abu Ramada South
Banana Reef
Belina Wreck
Big Giftun
Dunraven (Beacon Rock)
Eel Garden
El Erug
El Fanous West
El Mina Wreck
Elphinstone
Far Garden
Fury Shoals
Gota Abu Ramada
Habili Ali
Hamda
Jackfish Alley
Kormoran
Middle Garden
Near Garden
Paradise
Pinky Wall
Ras Bob
Ras Burg
Ras Disha
Ras Ghamila
Ras Ghozlani
Ras Katy
Ras Um Sid
Sha'ab Samadai (Dolphin House)
Shaab Eissa
Shaab Eshta
Shaab Sabina
Shabrur Um Gamar
Shark & Yolanda Reef
Shark Observatory
Shark's Bay
Small Crack
Small Giftun
Sodfa