Latin name

Acanthurus dussumieri

Other name

Dussumier's surgeonfish, eyestripe surgeonfish, eye-stripe surgeonfish, ornate surgeonfish.

Identification

Older males have a hump on the back of the head. Small scales. Gill rays 22-26 in anterior row, 23-27 in posterior row.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-27; Anal spines: 3; anal soft rays: 24-26. On each side of caudal peduncle one sharp, erect spicule directed forward, spicule mostly covered with creamy sheath, groove surrounded by black area. Caudal fin semilunar in adults.

Fish colouring

Have a pale brown body, broader irregularly shaped lines on the head. The species is characterized by a yellow stripe near the eyes and a white spot with a black border at the base of the caudal fin.

Distribution

The species is distributed in the Indo-Pacific from South Africa to Japan and from Hawaii to the Great Barrier Reef area. It is absent from some areas of the central Pacific. Off the coast of South Africa, the fish migrate into the Atlantic Ocean. 

Habitat

Tropical marine benthopelagic species. Depths range from 4 to 131 m, usually 9 to 130 m. Adults mainly inhabit deep coastal reef slopes and outer reef walls, also often found on deep shipwreck sites. Juveniles prefer rocky reefs covered with algae. 

Size

Reaches a length of up to 54 centimeters. Maximum reported age: 30 years. 

Behavior

Usually solitary. Rarely gather in small groups. Mainly diurnal. 

Food and feeding habits

They feed on a thin layer of brown and green diatoms and detritus on the bottom.

Reproduction

They do not lay eggs in schools like many other surgeonfish, but in pairs. 

Fishing

Have negligible commercial value in the fishery.

Relationship with a person

A species not harmful to humans. Used in aquaristics.