Yellowfin surgeonfish

Photo: Attila Oláh · CC BY

One of the larger surgeonfish species in the Indian Ocean, the yellowfin surgeonfish forms mixed-species feeding aggregations that sweep across reef surfaces, grazing algae from rock and coral. At Cap la Houssaye its schools can number in the hundreds and are a constant presence across the lava formations. The scalpel-like spine at the base of its tail is erected when the fish is alarmed and can inflict a painful cut.