Sawtail Prionurus microlepidotus
Distribution - Sawtail surgeon fish are often found in schools around coastal reefs, from Townsville in Queensland through to the Victorian border. They are more common in the northern half of NSW. Juveniles often reside in coastal bays and estuaries.
Size - Generally grow to around 3kg and a length of 70cm. The largest recorded sawtail in Australia was caught by a spearfisher and weighed just over 10kg.
Characteristics - Sawtail have a leathery skin that is silvery grey in colour, with 5-6 black spots near the caudal fin. They possess 1 or more sharp, bony plates on the caudal peduncle & along the mid-line of the body. Sawtail have quite a small mouth.
Confusing species - Sometimes found in mixed schools with the spotted sawtail surgeonfish but is easily separated from this species by its silver/grey colour.