Eyestripe Surgeonfish, Acanthurus dussumieri (Valenciennes, 1835)

Scientific name: Acanthurus dussumieri
Acanthurus dussumieri Click to enlarge image
An Eyestripe Surgeonfish, Acanthurus dussumieri, from North Solitary Island, New South Wales. Image: Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Acanthurus
    Species
    dussumieri
    Family
    Acanthuridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 50 cm in length.

Introduction

Not surprisingly, the Eyestripe Surgeonfish is named after the yellow stripe through the eyes. This tropical species has a white spine on the caudal peduncle.

Identification

The Eyestripe Surgeonfish can be recognised by its colouration. It has a yellowish brown body covered with irregular blue lines. Its head is yellow with blue spots and lines. There is an irregular yellow spot behind the eye, and a yellow band across the interorbital.

The dorsal and anal fins are yellow with a blue margin and a blue stripe at the base. The caudal fin is blue with black spots.

All species in the genus Acanthurus have an erectile spine on the caudal peduncle. The spine of the Eyestripe Surgeonfish is white. The socket and membrane attached to the spine are black.

Distribution

The species is found in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific.

In Australia it is recorded in north-western Western Australian waters and from the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland to the central coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.