DoctorfishorOcean Surgeonfish
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Doctorfish
Brownish-gray surgeonfish with 10–12 faint vertical bars on the sides and a tail spine.
Doctorfish, next to ocean surgeonfish: 10–12 faint vertical bars.
Ocean Surgeonfish
Gray-blue to brown oval with a blue-edged tail and a pale band at the tail base; sharp spine on the caudal peduncle.
Ocean surgeonfish, next to doctorfish: no bars.
Side by side
| Doctorfish | Ocean Surgeonfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Acanthurus chirurgus | Acanthurus tractus |
| Also called | Doctor fish | Surgeonfish |
| Waters | Nearshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | — | — |
| On the table | Rarely eaten — ciguatera risk. | Rarely eaten — ciguatera risk. |
| Rules of its own in | 2 states | 2 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
Where either fish has a rule, the two are regulated the same. The name still goes in the log and on the tally.
| State | Doctorfish: size · bag · season | Ocean Surgeonfish: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked | 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked | 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, doctorfish or ocean surgeonfish, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
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: Gray-blue to brown oval with a blue-edged tail and a pale band at the tail base; sharp spine on the caudal peduncle. Ocean surgeonfish, next to doctorfish: no bars. Doctorfish, next to ocean surgeonfish: 10–12 faint vertical bars.
Which is better to eat, doctorfish or ocean surgeonfish?
Doctorfish: Rarely eaten — ciguatera risk. Ocean Surgeonfish: Rarely eaten — ciguatera risk.
Do doctorfish and ocean surgeonfish have the same limits?
Yes, in every state that regulates either one. The table on this page lists each rule with its source and check date.