The Dussumieri Tang (Acanthurus dussumieri), also known as the eye-stripe surgeonfish or ornate surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region and is popular in the marine aquarium trade.

Physical Description

The Dussumieri Tang has an oval-shaped, laterally compressed body. The overall coloration is brownish-grey with numerous fine horizontal wavy lines on the body. There is a distinctive yellow-orange band running from behind the eye to the upper lip. The dorsal fin has 9 spines and 25-28 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 23-26 soft rays. This species reaches a maximum total length of 45 cm (17.7 in).

Distribution and Habitat

The Dussumieri Tang is found in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to Japan, Hawaii, and Polynesia. It inhabits shallow coral reefs and seaward slopes at depths between 5 and 50 meters.

Diet and Feeding

The Dussumieri Tang is herbivorous, grazing on benthic algae and detritus. In captivity, it should be offered a varied diet including marine algae, spirulina, and high-quality vegetable-based preparations.

Aquarium Care

The Dussumieri Tang requires a spacious aquarium of at least 200 gallons with abundant live rock for grazing. It is semi-aggressive and may display territorial behavior toward other tangs. Generally considered reef-safe.

Conservation Status

Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.