Surgeonfishes and Relatives: Acanthuroidei

Surgeonfishes and their relatives live alone, in pairs, in small groups, in schools of their own species, or in mixed-species schools. Many of these fishes defend their territories. Surgeonfishes and their relatives spawn, or release eggs, in pairs or in groups. Most of these fishes release free-floating eggs. One species deposits eggs on the bottom and takes care of them. The larvae of many surgeonfishes and their relatives live for a long time in the open sea. Larvae (LAR-vee) are animals in an early stage and must change form before becoming adults.