Pencil Surgeonfish (species: Acanthurus dussumieri) in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Acanthurus dussumieri
Pencil Surgeonfish


©Lyle Vail: Acanthurus dussumieri at North Point, Lizard Island.

©Andy Lewis: An adult Pencil Surgeonfish

©Andy Lewis: Acanthurus dussumieri at Lizard Island.
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Perciformes
Family Acanthuridae
Genus Acanthurus
Species Acanthurus dussumieri

Colours

                                                      

Distinguishing features

A medium sized, dark brown fish with yellowish dorsal and anal fins, which appears almost black underwater when viewed from a distance. The crescent shaped tail and the white tail ring are distinctive. Distinguish from other Acanthurus species by the white caudal knives, the blue tail with spots, the irregular yellow blotch behind and adjacent to the eye, and the yellow stripe in front of the eye.

Dark body, white tail spines, yellow edge to pectoral fins.

Size

  • Up to 40 cm (Standard length)

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Areas of turf algae and coral rubble on reef flats and slopes.

Found in most reef habitats around the island, although most abundant on exposed reef fronts and nearby flats.

Behaviour

The Pencil surgeonfish is a roving herbivore, moving around the reef in schools and feeding on the fine turf algae. The surgeonfish are a very long lived group of fishes - after settlement to the reef, juveniles grow quickly and reach 80% of their maximum size in about 3 years, and then grow very slowly thereafter. Many of them live from 30-50years. They spawn in groups during the warmer months, when fast running tidal currents coincide with dawn and dusk.

Web resources

Danger

  • unspecified - There are a pair of poisonous bony knives at the base of the tail, which can be used to inflict a painful stabbing wound if the fish is handled.

References

References that assist with identification

  • Randall, J.E. (2001). Surgeonfishes of the World Mutual Publishing and Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI, USA.

Other references

  • Bellwood, D.R. (1988). Ontogenetic changes in the diet of early post-settlement Scarus species (Pisces: Scaridae), Journal of Fish Biology, 33: 213-219. LIRS catalog number 396.
  • Burdon-Jones, C. and G.R.W. Denton (1981). Metals in marine organisms from the Great Barrier Reef Province. Part 1. Base line survey,Interim Progress Report, James Cook University, Townsville.. LIRS catalog number 69.
  • View all references