Eyestripe Surgeonfish

Max length : 54.0 cm TL male/unsexed; common length : 35.0 cm TL male/unsexed; max. reported age: 28 years

Family	Acanthuridae
Description	Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes
Environment	Marine
Etymology	Greek, akantha = thorn + oura = tail
Genus	6
No. of Species	82
Order	Perciformes
Class	Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild	Nonguarders
Distribution	Circumtropical, especially around coral reefs; five species in the Atlantic, the remaining in the Pacific and Indian oceans. All have a deep compressed body with the eye high on the head and a long preorbital bone. Single unnotched dorsal fin with 4-9 spines and 19-31 rays; anal fin with 2 (only Naso) or 3 spines and 19-36 rays; pelvic fins with 1 spine and 3 (Naso and Paracanthurus) or 5 rays. Very small ctenoid scales. A small terminal mouth with a single row of close-set teeth. Most surgeon fishes graze on benthic algae and have a long intestine; some feed mainly on zooplankton or detritus. Surgeon fishes are able to slash other fishes with their sharp caudal spines by a rapid side sweep of the tail. Pelagic spawners. Many species have bright colors and are popular aquarium fishes.

Eyestripe

Schooling species, usually occurring in seaward reefs at depths greater than 9 m. Adults mainly on deep coastal reef slopes and outer reef walls, often on deep shipwrecks. Juveniles found on algae-rocky reef (Ref. 48637). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Occur singly or in groups (Ref. 37816). Feed on surface film of fine green and blue-green algae, diatoms, and detritus covering sand. Pair-spawner. Mainly diurnal.

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-27; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 24 - 26. Pale brown body; broader, irregular lines on head; orange band between eyes, continued behind each eye to gill cover. Each side of caudal peduncle with single, sharp, forward-pointing erectile spine; spine largely covered by cream sheath; groove surrounded by a black area. Dorsal fin with soft part having longer base than spinous part. Minute scales. Gill rakers 22-26 in anterior row, 23-27 in posterior row. Caudal fin lunate in adults

Probably spawn in pairs

Summary of Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa (including the Mascarene Islands) to the Hawaiian and Line islands, north to southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals, southern Great Barrier Reef and Lord Howe Island. Absent from most of central Pacific.
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)