Why are tangs called sergenfish?

[Luiz Rocha]

My thumb was sliced by an Acanthurus olivaceus scalpel. Truth be told, I was collecting them (a.k.a. spearing) for a genetics study, so I asked for it...

 

[Recty]

Tangs are not peaceful. Recty that is one amazing image!!!!

Thanks. And it isnt as if their tail is the only weapon at their disposal, tangs have little razor blades for teeth. I always pictures them having flat teeth but they dont eat like a cow, they scrape/slice algae off the rocks and swallow it, they dont chew forever like a grazing mammal does.

Here is my dussumieri's teeth...

I've heard stories from a diver in Hawaii about dussumieri tangs attacking diver's around their breeding season and not only slicing their wet suits with their tail scalpels but also flat out biting through their suits.

 

[namxas]

Most tang species have "retractable" blades (meaning they can project them away from their body), while some genera such as Naso have stationary spines that stick out permanently.

Whenever you see a tang flash by another fish in close proximity, it is likely trying to tear a gash in its side.

Nice pix, recty!

 

[Acrotrdco]

What an interesting topic, I found this post after I posted mine...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=19119088

 

[launchnukes]

What an interesting topic, I found this post after I posted mine...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=19119088

i was just going to add a link to your thread to this thread. lol. anyway, that was a great pic of the scapel

 

[MrTuskfish]

See this current thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2054090