Doctorfish
Acanthurus chirurgus
Also called Doctor fish.
How to tell it
Brownish-gray surgeonfish with 10–12 faint vertical bars on the sides and a tail spine.
Often mistaken for
One fish that gets called doctorfish, and what gives it away.
- Ocean surgeonfish: No bars. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish) | 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate | Year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish) | 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate | Year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
On the table
Rarely eaten — ciguatera risk.
In the app
Point the camera at a doctorfish and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about doctorfish
What is the size limit for doctorfish?
It depends on the state. Florida (Atlantic): 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish); Florida (Gulf): 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish).
How many doctorfish can you keep?
Florida (Atlantic): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate; Florida (Gulf): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate.
How do you tell doctorfish from ocean surgeonfish?
Doctorfish: Brownish-gray surgeonfish with 10–12 faint vertical bars on the sides and a tail spine. Ocean surgeonfish: no bars.