Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Genus/species: Acanthurus dussumieri
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Bluish to brownish body with horizontal line markings; orange band between eyes, continued behind each eye to gill cover., blue tail with numerous black spots; white caudal spine with the socket edged in black. Typically seen as a solitary fish but may also occur in small groups.
Max. size: up to 50 cm (20 in).
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific: from East Africa to Hawaii and the eastern Central Pacific. Also from Southwest Japan to the Great Barrier Reef. Absent from most of the Central Pacific. Adults are found mainly on deep coastal reef slopes and outer reef walls.
Depth ranges from 4–131 m (12-430 ft) and are usually found below 30 ft.
DIET IN THE WILD: Grazes algae from reefs and sand.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern
REMARKS: The eyestripe surgeonfish reputedly has a strong odor when cooked. The Hawaiian name for this fish is palani and a Hawaiian riddle based on this name means “odor reaching to heaven.” This species can quickly change its coloration to a much darker shade that obscures the yellow and markings.
References
California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016
Ron’s WordPress shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1aY
Encyclopedia of life eol.org/pages/206881/details
fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/1256
Ron’s WordPress Shortlink https://fishoncomputer.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php
IUCN Red List www.iucnredlist.org/details/177981/0
Australian Museum australianmuseum.net.au/eyestripe-surgeonfish-acanthurus-…
Ron’s flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/8375327580/in/set-72157608332652056/
Ron's Critter of the Day 