Lined surgeonfish

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/lined-surgeonfish

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is Lined surgeonfish?Maximum standard length of approximately 30 cm (12 inches)
2. What is the scientific name?Acanthurus lineatus
3. What is the diet?Strictly herbivorous, feeding on filamentous algae scraped from reef substrates
4. What does a lined surgeonfish look like?It has a bright blue body with wavy black lines and yellow fins, making it a colorful sight in the reef.
5. Why do lined surgeonfish have sharp spines?The spines act like tiny scalpels that help the fish defend itself from predators and protect its feeding area.

Acanthuridae: The family of ray-finned fish commonly known as surgeonfishes, characterized by their sharp caudal spines.
Obligate Herbivore: An animal that relies solely on plant matter for sustenance; it cannot survive on a diet of other food types.
Caudal Peduncle: The narrow, tail-like part of a fish's body that connects the main body to the tail fin.