Despite the well-recognized importance of fish-mediated ecosystem functions in modern coral reefs, fundamental gaps remain in our understanding of how these functions have evolved. The rise of herbivorous fishes, particularly over the past 60 million years, has been crucial in shaping coral reef systems. Herbivores play pivotal roles, including regulating sediment dynamics, a critical process for reef recovery after disturbances. However, while most research on fish-sediment linkages has focused on parrotfishes, surgeonfishes have been generally overlooked. This group of fishes exhibits specialised adaptations that enable them to feed in sediment-rich areas. These relatively recent (Miocene; 23-5.3 Ma) evolutionary acquisitions in surgeonfishes have profoundly modified the trophodynamics of coral reefs, marking an important evolutionary shift toward fishes consuming particulates directly. Here, we test the hypothesis that these functional innovations allowed surgeonfishes to process more sediments in their diet over evolutionary time. Using recently developed phylogenetic frameworks and high-resolution quantifications of sediment dynamics across surgeonfish species and their functional groups, we provide novel insights into the functional roles of surgeonfishes on coral reefs, particularly concerning reef recovery. Additionally, our findings contribute fundamental knowledge about surgeonfish evolution and ecosystem functions. Revealing the functions of these key species provides crucial insights into processes that shaped coral reefs over evolutionary time and will be critical for their future.