Acanthurus dussumieri

Valenciennes, 1835

Eyestripe Tang/Surgeonfish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: East Africa to Hawaiian and Line Islands, north to Southern Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef and Lord Howe Island.

Size: 20 inches (50 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits seaward reefs and often seen on deep reef slopes and outer reef walls and usually found at depths between 30 - 400 feet (10 - 120 m) where it feeds mainly on algal film covering the sand and rocks.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade having a laterally compressed body and a small mouth, such as angelfishes and butterflyfishes with an orange tan body, a orange bar linking both eyes, and wavy blue lines from the head to the tail. Colors vary depending upon maturity and areas of collection.

Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having wide-open swimming areas and somewhat turbulent, well-oxygenated water flow.

Requires a varied vegetable diet, including fresh macroalgae, Spirulina, zucchini, broccoli, dried seaweed (Nori), and enriched vegetable flakes, and requires two or three feedings per day. Will browse on filamentous and microalgae.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Acanthuroidei

Family: Acanthuridae

Genus: Acanthurus

FYI: One per tank and a constant grazer.

Has a sharp forward pointing spine on each side of the caudal peduncle, which folds into a groove. Erected when excited. Handle with care!

Should have peaceful, none fin-nipping tankmates.

Can be quite aggressive towards others in the family.

Can be somewhat aggressive if maintained in an aquarium too small for its size.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Herbivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 400 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.5