This fish and others of its genus are called surgeonfish. Two erectile spines at the base of its tail, sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, are used in defense as the fish flicks its tail at predators or challengers. Young Mata tang are brown and become blue-grey as they age.
Balearica regulorum Threats such as hunting, live trapping, drainage, pesticides, and livestock overgrazing contribute to the species’ decline. These birds breed readily in captivity…