/serr"jeuhn fish'/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) surgeonfish , ( esp. referring to two or more kinds or species ) surgeonfishes .
any tropical, coral-reef fish of the family Acanthuridae, with one or more sharp spines near the base of the tail fin.
[ 1870-75, Amer.; SURGEON + FISH; so called from the resemblance of its spines to a surgeon's instruments ]