Eyespot Surgeonfish

Acanthurus bariene

The Eyespot Surgeonfish, scientifically known as Acanthurus bariene, is a species found largely in the Indo-Pacific region. Its body displays a gradient from brown to yellowish-brown towards the underside, marked with irregular greyish-blue horizontal lines. A prominent feature is the black spot near the upper part of the gill opening, with a yellow stripe running underneath the pectoral fin. The dorsal fin is yellow with a slim blue edge, and the tail fin has yellow lobes. This species can grow up to 50 cm in length. This fish is distributed from the Seychelles to the Solomon Islands, extending south to Australia and north to the Ryukyu Islands. It is commonly found on the outer slopes of coral reefs, usually at depths exceeding 30 meters, but it can also be seen as shallow as 6 meters. The Eyespot Surgeonfish favors clear seaward reef slopes and deep coastal reef slopes. Adults are typically observed alone or in pairs, while juveniles inhabit shallow, protected reef environments. Feeding mainly on algal films that grow on bare rocks, the Eyespot Surgeonfish plays a role as a herbivore in its ecosystem. It is listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List. Divers might spot this species in deeper reef areas, where its distinct coloration and patterns make it easily identifiable.