Dussumier Tang

Dussumier Tang

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Acanthurus dussumieri

Overview
Reef Compatible: YES
Diet: Omnivore
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Origin: Africa/Red Sea/Australia/Coral Sea

Acanthurus dussumieri, commonly known as Dussumier’s surgeonfish, the eye-stripe surgeonfish, or the ornate surgeonfish, is a ray-finned fish found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. This captivating species occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. Let’s explore more about this remarkable fish:

1. Appearance:

   • Dussumier’s surgeonfish grows to a maximum length of 54 cm (21 inches), although a more usual size is around 35 cm (14 inches).
   • Its body is deep-bodied and laterally compressed, with a smooth surface covered in small scales.
   • The head features slightly prominent eyes, a small beak-like mouth, and inflated, pale lips.
   • Notably, it possesses a pair of scalpel-like, modified scales on the caudal peduncle, which can be folded flat or raised in defense.
   • The dorsal and anal fins are long, and the pectoral fins aid in locomotion and balance.
   • The throat is blue, and the head displays a dense network of blue or grey-blue lines, wider than the fine grey-blue, wavy, longitudinal lines on the pale brownish body.
   • An orange bar lies above the eyes, and a narrow orange band borders the base of the dorsal fin.
   • The scalpel-like scales are white and surrounded by a black blotch.
   • The crescent-shaped caudal fin is dark blue speckled with black, except for a pale base.
   • Among surgeonfish species, it ranks as one of the largest, alongside Acanthurus mata and Acanthurus xanthopterus.

2. Juvenile Transformation:

   • Juvenile Dussumier’s surgeonfish start off greyish with yellow and black caudal fins.
   • As they grow, their body color lightens, and the characteristic longitudinal wavy lines and facial patterning emerge.

3. Distribution and Habitat:

   • This surgeonfish has a widespread distribution in the tropical and sub-tropical Indian Ocean and the West Pacific Ocean.
   • Its range extends from East Africa to southern Japan, Indonesia, and eastern Australia, at depths down to about 130 meters (427 feet).
   • Dussumier’s surgeonfish can be found in lagoons, on reefs, reef slopes, and inter-reef areas with sand, rubble substrates, or rock.
   • Juveniles and young adults are mostly associated with reefs.

4. Ecology and Diet:

   • Dussumier’s surgeonfish feeds on algae and detritus.
   • Its diet includes the algal film that grows on rocks and other surfaces, as well as diatoms and planktonic particles.

Fun Fact: The specific name, dussumieri, honors the French explorer and trader Jean-Jacques Dussumier (1792-1883).

Next time you encounter this eye-catching surgeonfish, imagine it gracefully navigating the vibrant coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific!