Dussumieri tang (Acanthurus dussumieri) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Dussumier's surgeonfish, Eye-stripe surgeonfish, Ornate surgeonfish
Family
Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes, tangs and unicornfishes)
Origin
Indian and West Pacific Oceans, East Africa to southern Japan, Indonesia and eastern Australia; lagoons, reef slopes and sandy or rubble areas to about 130 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
53 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
1500 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
yes

Care

Tank: a very large tank with lots of open swimming space; it is a big, active fish. an estimated minimum of about 1500 litres (our estimate from the adult size and habits). Water: our sources give no species-specific figures, so the values shown (24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, SG 1.023–1.026) are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific. Like other surgeonfish it needs well-oxygenated water with strong flow and stable quality. Behaviour: adults are solitary or form small groups; juveniles shoal. Usually 35 cm in the wild, but the article gives up to 54 cm. Tangs are prone to marine white spot (Cryptocaryon irritans) and velvet, so quarantine new arrivals. Handling: like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp, scalpel-like blade on each side of the tail base that it raises when threatened and that can cut hands deeply. Move it in a container rather than by hand. Trade and status: occasionally in the aquarium trade. IUCN: Least Concern. Not CITES-listed. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthurusdussumieri). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats algae (including the film on rocks), detritus, diatoms and planktonic particles. In the aquarium feed marine algae and nori, spirulina-based foods and some mysis or other meaty foods several times a day.

Breeding

Little studied; not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe with corals and invertebrates. Its size can intimidate smaller fish; may fight with other large Acanthurus tangs.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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