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Siganus stellatus (Forsskål, 1775) Brown-spotted spinefoot |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Siganidae (Rabbitfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 40 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range - 1 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indian Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to the Andaman Sea. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 7-7; Anal soft rays: 9-9; Vertebrae: 13-13. Indian Ocean subspecies. S. s. laqueus greyish green with head and body covered with chocolate brown spots; in S. s. stellatus, background color is yellowish. Trailing edges of soft parts of dorsal and anal fins, perimeter of caudal fin and a saddle over the caudal peduncle are markedly paler than the rest. Silvery iris, tinted brown or green, with 10 equally spaced spots. Spines stout; pungent only in juveniles. Preopercular angle 92°-103°. Strong scales cover the cheeks. Usually midline of thorax fully scaled, but pelvic ridges sometimes without scales. | |||
| Biology: | Common in coral reefs; juveniles enter weedy estuaries (Ref. 4407). Juveniles and subadults form schools, adults in pairs. Adults feed on benthic seaweeds (Ref. 9813). Anterolateral glandular grooves with venom gland (Ref. 57406). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 July 2017 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | venomous | |||