Acanthurinae is the nominate subfamily of the family Acanthuridae which was proposed by the French zoologistCharles Lucien Bonaparte in 1835.[1] The 5th edition of Fishes of the World recognises 3 tribes within the subfamily, the Acanthurini, Prionurini and Zebrasomoni. The other subfamily in the Acanthuridae is the monogenericNasinae.[2]
Acanthurini surgeonfishes are characterised by having 3 spines in the anal fin. They also have one or more mobile and flexible
spine on the caudal peduncle, this spine is not mobile in Prionurus, that may be extended as a defensive weapon. In the tribe Acanthurini this spine is held in a deep slit. They have 5 branchiostegals and they have spatulate teeth in the jaws.[2] The smallest species is the bluebarred surgeonfish (Acanthurus polyzona) with a maximum published total length of 11 cm (4.3 in) while the largest species, Fowler's surgeonfish (A. folweri) and the powderblue surgeonfish (A. leucosternon), both have maximum published total lengths of 54 cm (21 in).[3]
Acanthurinae are mainly found in the Indo-Pacific region but five species in the genus Acanthurus extend into the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean but they are absent from the Mediterranean.[3]
