Introduction

This suborder includes a group of tropical, coral reef-dwelling species. Although the group is known worldwide, most species are found in the Indo-west–central Pacific region. The group has been studied extensively and relationships within the group have been discussed by Tyler (1970), Johnson & Washington (1987), Tyler et al. (1989), Guiasu & Winterbottom (1993), Winterbottom (1993), Winterbottom & McLennan (1993), Borden (1998, 1999), Tang et al. (1999), Tyler & Sorbini (1999) and Holcroft & Wiley (2008).

General References

Borden, W.C. 1998. Phylogeny of the unicornfishes (Naso, Acanthuridae) based on soft anatomy. Copeia 1998(1): 104-113

Borden, W.C. 1999. Comparative myology of the unicornfishes, Naso (Acanthuridae, Percomorpha), with implications for phylogenetic analysis. Journal of Morphology 239: 191-224

Guiasu, R.C. & Winterbottom, R. 1993. Osteological evidence for the phylogeny of recent genera of surgeonfishes (Percomorpha, Acanthuridae). Copeia 1993(2): 300-312

Holcroft, N.I. & Wiley, E.O. 2008. Acanthuroid relationships revisited: a new nuclear gene-based analysis that incorporates tetraodontiform representatives. Ichthyological Research 55(3): 274-283

Johnson, D.W. & Washington, B.B. 1987. Larvae of the moorish idol, Zanclus cornutus, including a comparison with other larval acanthuroids. Bulletin of Marine Science 40(3): 494-511

Tang, K.L., Berendzen, P.B., Wiley, E.O., Morrissey, J.F., Winterbottom, R. & Johnson, G.D. 1999. The phylogenetic relationships of the suborder Acanthuroidei (Teleostei: Perciformes) based on molecular and morphological evidence. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 11(13): 415-425

Tyler, J.C. 1970. Osteological aspects of interrelationships of surgeon fish genera (Acanthuridae). Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 122: 87-124

Tyler, J.C., Johnson, G.D., Nakamura, I. & Collette, B.B. 1989. Morphology of Luvarus imperialis Luvaridae), with a phylogenetic analysis of the Acanthuroidei (Pisces). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 485: 1-78

Tyler, J.C. & Sorbini, L. 1999. Phylogeny of the fossil and Recent genera of fishes of the family Scatophagidae (Squamipinnes). Bollettino del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Verona 23: 353-393

Winterbottom, R. 1993. Myological evidence for the phylogeny of recent genera of surgeonfishes (Percomorpha, Acanthuridae), with comments on the Acanthuroidei. Copeia 1993(1): 21-39

Winterbottom, R. & McLennan, D.A. 1993. Cladogram versatility: evolution and biogeography of acanthuroid fishes. Evolution 47(5): 1557-1571

History of changes

Introduction

The Sicklefishes are sometimes inlucded in the family Ephippidae (Nelson 2006; Allen et al. 2006). However we follow Heemstra (2001), Leis & Carson-Ewart (2000) and Lloris & Rucabado (1987) in treating the group as a separate family. The family contains a single genus and three species (one found only in the Atlantic). Both Pacific species are known from Australia.

The species are found over soft bottoms on the continental shelf and sometimes are found in estuaries. There is a significant fishery for the species in Asia.

Maximum, length is 50 cm.

General References

Allen, G.R., Cross, N.J. & Allen, C.J. 2006. Family Ephippidae, Scatophagidae and Siganidae. pp. 1717-1728 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp.

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Drepanidae. pp. 3221-3223 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 5 2791-3379 pp.

Leis, J.M. & Carson-Ewart, B.M. 2000. The larvae of Indo-Pacific coastal fishes. An identification guide to marine fish larvae. Fauna Malesiana Handbooks Leiden : Brill Vol. 2 870 pp.

Lloris, D. & Rucabado, J. 1987. Revisión sistematica y distribución de la familia Drepanidae (Pisces, Osteichthyes). Miscelánea Zoológica, Barcelona 11: 277-288

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

History of changes

• Drepane Cuvier, G.L. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1831. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 7 531 pp. pls 170-208. [129].

  Type species:

   Chaetodon punctatus Linnaeus, 1758 by subsequent designation, see Jordan, D.S. 1917. The genera of fishes. Part 1. Stanford University Publications, University Series 27: 1-151 [136].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

General References

Lloris, D. & Rucabado, J. 1987. Revisión sistematica y distribución de la familia Drepanidae (Pisces, Osteichthyes). Miscelánea Zoológica, Barcelona 11: 277-288

Common Name References

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Drepanidae. pp. 3221-3223 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 5 2791-3379 pp. [3221] (Sicklefishes)

History of changes

• Chaetodon longimanus Bloch, M.E. & Schneider, J.G. 1801. Systema Ichthyologiae Iconibus ex Illustratum. Berlin 584 pp. 110 pls. [229] [derivation is probably from the Latin longus = long + manus = hand, referring to the long pectoral fin and could be regarded as a noun in apposition; however the name was treated as an adjective by Cuvier (1831), possibly believing the derivation was from the Greek manos = wide or in some cases manus with a prefix can become an adjective indicating handed, which is followed here with the genus feminine].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMB 8165, Tranquebar, India.

Generic Combinations

• Drepane longimana (Bloch & Schneider, 1801). —
  Cuvier, G.L. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1831. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 7 531 pp. pls 170-208. [133]

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Distribution in Australia poorly known, museum records from NW of Darwin, NT (130°17'E) and Cairns region, QLD; Tropical, Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Coastal, continental shelf, estuary, inshore, soft bottom.

General References

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Drepanidae. pp. 3221-3223 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 5 2791-3379 pp. [3222]

Common Name References

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Drepanidae. pp. 3221-3223 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 5 2791-3379 pp. [3222] (FAO) (Sicklefish)

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [204] (Banded Sicklefish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Banded Sicklefish)

History of changes

• Chaetodon punctatus Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundem classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentis, synonymis, locis. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae : Laurentii Salvii Vol. 1 10 Edn., 824 pp. [273].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Asia.
• Drepane punctata Solander, D.C. in Richardson, J. 1842. Contributions to the ichthyology of Australia. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 1 10(62): 25-34 [28] [a secondary homonym of Chaetodon punctatus Linnaeus 1758].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Australia (as New Holland).

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Eschmeyer, W.N. 1998. Catalog of Fishes. San Francisco : California Academy of Sciences 2905 pp., 3 vols.

Generic Combinations

• Drepane punctata (Linnaeus, 1758). —
  Cuvier, G.L. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1831. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 7 531 pp. pls 170-208. [132]
• Drepanichthys punctatus (Linnaeus, 1758). —
  McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [243] (Drepanichthys unnecessary replacement name for Drepane)

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Onslow, WA (21°38'S) to Bundaberg, QLD (24°52'S) and a single specimen in Queensland Museum from Moreton Bay, QLD (27°15'S); tropical, east-Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Continental shelf, estuary, inshore, soft bottom.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [146]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [94] (601)

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Drepanidae. pp. 3221-3223 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 5 2791-3379 pp. [3223]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [243] (as Drepanichthys punctatus)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [240]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [43] (1309)

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. 1985. Fishes of Western Australia. Book 9. pp. 2207-2534 526 pls in Burgess, W.E. & Axelrod, H.R. (eds). Pacific Marine Fishes. Neptune, New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications. [2362] (Spotted Spadefish)

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [94] (Sicklefish)

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [397] (Butterfish, Sickle-fish)

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Drepanidae. pp. 3221-3223 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 5 2791-3379 pp. [3223] (FAO) (Spotted Sicklefish)

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [204] (Spotted Sicklefish)

Marshall, T.C. 1964. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coastal Waters of Queensland. Sydney : Angus & Robertson 566 pp. 136 pls. [266] (Butter-fish, Peppercorn)

Pollard, J. (ed.) 1980. G.P. Whitley's Handbook of Australian Fishes. North Sydney : Jack Pollard Publishing Pty Ltd 629 pp. [191] (Concertinafish, Jetto, Silver Moonfish)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [240] (Spotted Batfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Sicklefish)

History of changes

Introduction

The family Ephippidae as recognised here includes genera previously assigned to the Platacidae and Rhinoprenidae. Thus the family contains approximately 11 species in six genera, widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic (Nelson 2006). Six species in three genera are found in Australia.

Batfishes frequent inshore waters, sometimes entering estuaries. Some species are confined mainly to coral reefs, others prefer coastal reefs in relatively turbid water. Some species of Platax form large, conspicuous aggregations which may contain up to 30 or more individuals. The diet consists of benthic invertebrates and zooplankton. The very deep, nearly circular, body shape and elongate dorsal and anal fins in the juvenile stages are diagnostic. The maximum length is 50–60 cm.

The Australian batfishes are dealt with by Taylor (1964). He also provided a key to the genera and most species as well as illustrations of three of the four species of Platax. Randall et al. (1990, 1997) provided colour illustrations and diagnoses of Platax and Zabidius. More recently, Heemstra (2001) presented keys to most species from the western Pacific and Kuiter & Debelius (2001) detailed the world species.

The monotypic family Rhinoprenidae, commonly known as roundsnouts is also included here following Nelson (1994). Rhinoprenes pentanemus was treated and illustrated by Munro (1964). It inhabits inshore marine and estuarine waters at depths between about 5 and 25 m, frequently off river mouths in northern Australia (including Arafura and Timor seas) and southern New Guinea (Gulf of Papua). The maximum length is about 16 cm.

General References

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218.

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp.

McCulloch, A.R. 1916. Report on some fishes obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour on the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South and South-Western Australia. Part 4. Biological Results of the Fishing Experiments carried on by the F.I.S. Endeavour 1909-1914 4(4): 169-199 figs 1-2 pls 49-58 [pl. 55]

McCulloch, A.R. 1922. Checklist of the fish and fish-like animals of New South Wales. Part 3. The Australian Zoologist 2(3): 86-130 figs 25-43

Munro, I.S.R. 1964. Additions to the fish fauna of New Guinea. Papua and New Guinea Agricultural Journal 16(4): 141-186

Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World. New York : John Wiley & Sons 600 pp.

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs.

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs.

Taylor, W.R. 1964. Fishes of Arnhem Land. Records of the American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land 4: 44-307 figs 1-68

Common Name References

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [180] (Spadefishes)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [216] (Batfishes)

History of changes

• Platax Cuvier, G.L. 1816. Le Règne Animal, distribué d'après son organisation, pour servir de base a l'histoire naturelle des animaux et d'introduction a l'anatomie comparée. Les reptiles et les poisons. Paris : Déterville Vol. 2 pp. 104-351. [334].

  Type species:

   Chaetodon teira Forsskål, 1775 by subsequent designation, see Bleeker, P. 1876. Systema Percarum revisum Pars I et II. Archives Néerlandaises des Sciences Naturelles 11: 247-340 [309] (as Chaetodon teira Bloch & Schneider, 1801).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west-central Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands

General References

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218.

History of changes

• Platax batavianus Cuvier, G.L. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1831. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 7 531 pp. pls 170-208. [225].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP A.184, Jakarta (as Batavia), Indonesia.

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Platax teira Forsskål, 1775. —
  McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [242] (in part, treated Platax batavianus as a junior synonym of P. teira)

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Carnarvon, WA (24°53'S) to Moreton Bay, QLD (26°59'S), also Scott Reef, WA (14°03'S) and Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea; tropical, west Pacific (Indo-Australian Archipelago).

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, inshore, marine, sand bottom marine, silt bottom-marine.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [146]

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1003]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [94] (602)

Grant, E.M. 1991. Fishes of Australia. Brisbane : EM Grant Pty Ltd 480 pp. [235]

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3615]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [198]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [242] (as P. teira in part)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [216]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [216]

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [242]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [47] (1306)

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. 1985. Fishes of Western Australia. Book 9. pp. 2207-2534 526 pls in Burgess, W.E. & Axelrod, H.R. (eds). Pacific Marine Fishes. Neptune, New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications. [2231] (Batavia Batfish, Batavian Batfish)

Coleman, N. 1981. Australian Sea Fishes North of 30°S. Lane Cove, NSW : Doubleday Australia Pty Ltd 297 pp. [147] (Humphead Batfish)

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3615] (FAO) (Zebra Batfish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [92] (Humped Batfish)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [242] (Hump-headed Batfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Humphead Batfish)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Ward, R.D. (eds) 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook. Hobart : CSIRO Marine Research 460 pp. [58] (Batfish, Moonfish)

History of changes

• Chaetodon orbicularis Forsskål, P. 1775. Descriptiones Animalium Avium, Amphibiorum, Piscium, Insectorum, Vermium; quæ in Itinere Orientali observavit Petrus Forskål. Post Mortem Auctoris edidit Carsten Niebuhr. Adjuncta est Materia Medica Kakirina atque Tabula Maris Rubri Geographica. Hauniæ : Mölleri 1-19, i-xxxiv, 164 pp., 1 map. [59].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMUC P.5168, Djedda, Red Sea.

Generic Combinations

• Platax orbicularis (Forsskål, 1775). —
  Rüppell, W.P.E. 1829. Atlas zu der Reise im nördlichen Afrika. Fische des Rothen Meeres. 2. Frankfurt : H.L. Brünner 29-94 pls 8-24. [67]

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Shark Bay, WA (25°54'S) to Moreton Bay (27°15'S), QLD, also Scott Reef (14°03'S), WA, Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea (12°15'S), Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands ; tropical, Indo-west-central Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coastal, coral reef, inshore, marine.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [146]

Allen, G.R., Steene, R.C. & Orchard, M. 2007. Fishes of Christmas Island. Christmas Island : Christmas Island Natural History Association 2 edn, 284 pp. [224]

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1004]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [94] (605)

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [345]

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3617]

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [236]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [194]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [243]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [218]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [218]

Taylor, W.R. 1964. Fishes of Arnhem Land. Records of the American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land 4: 44-307 figs 1-68 [227-229]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [47] (1307)

Common Name References

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [345] (Narrow-banded Batfish)

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3617] (FAO) (Cooper Batfish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [92] (Round Batfish)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [218] (Orbicular Batfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Round Batfish)

History of changes

• Chaetodon pinnatus Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundem classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentis, synonymis, locis. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae : Laurentii Salvii Vol. 1 10 Edn., 824 pp. [272].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) NHRM LP.57, East Indies.

Generic Combinations

• Platax pinnatus (Linnaeus, 1758). —
  Macleay, W.J. 1882. Contribution to the knowledge of the fishes of New Guinea. No. 2. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 7(3): 351-366 [359]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Ningaloo Reef, WA (22°00'S) to Darwin, NT (130°50'E), and Lizard Island, QLD (14°40'S) to vicinity of Sydney, NSW (33°53'S), also Rowley Shoals (17°20'S) and Scott Reef, WA (14°03'S), and Cartier Reef, Timor Sea ; tropical, Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coastal, coral reef, inshore.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [146]

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1004]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [94] (603)

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3618]

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [91]

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [238]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [196]

Marshall, T.C. 1964. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coastal Waters of Queensland. Sydney : Angus & Robertson 566 pp. 136 pls. [268]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [218]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [218]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [47] (1305)

Common Name References

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [344] (Long-finned Batfish)

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3618] (FAO) (Pinnate Batfish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [91] (Shaded Batfish)

Marshall, T.C. 1964. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coastal Waters of Queensland. Sydney : Angus & Robertson 566 pp. 136 pls. [268] (Batfish, Butterfly-fish, Leaf-fish, Sunfish, Turbot)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Longfin Batfish)

History of changes

• Chaetodon teira Forsskål, P. 1775. Descriptiones Animalium Avium, Amphibiorum, Piscium, Insectorum, Vermium; quæ in Itinere Orientali observavit Petrus Forskål. Post Mortem Auctoris edidit Carsten Niebuhr. Adjuncta est Materia Medica Kakirina atque Tabula Maris Rubri Geographica. Hauniæ : Mölleri 1-19, i-xxxiv, 164 pp., 1 map. [60].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMUC 82, Lohaja, Red Sea.

Generic Combinations

• Platax teira (Forsskål, 1775). —
  Rüppell, W.P.E. 1829. Atlas zu der Reise im nördlichen Afrika. Fische des Rothen Meeres. 2. Frankfurt : H.L. Brünner 29-94 pls 8-24. [68]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Cape Naturaliste, WA (33°32'S) to Bermagui, NSW (36°25'S), also Rowley Shoals (17°20'S) and Scott Reef, WA (14°03'S), Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea (12°15'S), Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Norfolk Island; tropical, Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Norfolk Island Province (21), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coastal, coral reef, inshore.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [146]

Allen, G.R., Steene, R.C. & Orchard, M. 2007. Fishes of Christmas Island. Christmas Island : Christmas Island Natural History Association 2 edn, 284 pp. [225]

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1005]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [94] (604)

Grant, E.M. 1991. Fishes of Australia. Brisbane : EM Grant Pty Ltd 480 pp. [234]

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3619]

Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp. [251]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [188]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [242] (in part, included Platax batavianus as a junior synonym)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [219]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [219]

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [242]

Common Name References

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3619] (FAO) (Spotbelly Batfish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [92] (Tail-fin Batfish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp. [251] (Longfin Batfish)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [219] (Tiera Batfish)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [242] (Round-faced Batfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Roundface Batfish)

History of changes

• Rhinoprenes Munro, I.S.R. 1964. Additions to the fish fauna of New Guinea. Papua and New Guinea Agricultural Journal 16(4): 141-186 [179].

  Type species:

   Rhinoprenes pentanemus Munro, 1964 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

New Guinea.

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26)

History of changes

• Rhinoprenes pentanemus Munro, I.S.R. 1964. Additions to the fish fauna of New Guinea. Papua and New Guinea Agricultural Journal 16(4): 141-186 [179].

  Type data:

   Holotype CSIRO A1826, Kerema Bay, Papua New Guinea.
  Paratype(s) CSIRO A1825; CSIRO A1834–35; CSIRO A3077–78.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Cambridge Gulf, WA (128°15'E) to west of Croker Island, NT (132°24'E); tropical, New Guinea (southern coast).

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26)

Ecological Descriptors

Inshore, marine, soft bottom.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [146]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [94] (607)

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3621]

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [242]

Common Name References

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3621] (FAO) (Threadfin Spadefish)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [242] (Threadfin Scat)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Threadfin Scat)

History of changes

• Zabidius Whitley, G.P. 1930. Ichthyological miscellanea. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 10(1): 8-31 fig. 1 pl. 1 [17].

  Type species:

   Platax novemaculeatus McCulloch, 1916 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

New Guinea.

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

History of changes

• Platax novemaculeatus McCulloch, A.R. 1916. Report on some fishes obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour on the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South and South-Western Australia. Part 4. Biological Results of the Fishing Experiments carried on by the F.I.S. Endeavour 1909-1914 4(4): 169-199 figs 1-2 pls 49-58 [188].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM E.2766, north-east of Gloucester Head, QLD.
  Paratype(s) AM I.13863-13866; AM E.2743; AM E.2539-2541; AM E.2635; AM E.2766.

Generic Combinations

• Zabidius novemaculeatus (McCulloch, 1916). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1930. Ichthyological miscellanea. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 10(1): 8-31 fig. 1 pl. 1 [17] (changed combination as type of genus Zabidius)

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Onslow, WA (21°38'S) to Moreton Bay, QLD (26°58'S); tropical, New Guinea.

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Continental shelf, estuary, inshore.

Extra Ecological Information

Rarely on reefs.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [146]

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1006]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [94] (606)

Grant, E.M. 1991. Fishes of Australia. Brisbane : EM Grant Pty Ltd 480 pp. [235] (as Platax novaemaculatus)

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3622]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [200]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [243] (as Platax novaemaculatus)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [219]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [219]

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [242]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [47] (1308)

Common Name References

Heemstra, P.C. 2001. Ephippidae. pp. 3611-3622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3622] (FAO) (Ninespined Batfish)

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [200] (Short-fin Batfish)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [219] (Short-finned Batfish)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [242] (Nine-spined Batfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Shortfin Batfish)

History of changes

Introduction

The Scatophagidae, widespread in the tropical Indo-west Pacific, comprise four species in two genera (Parenti 2004). Two species occur in Australian waters, we have made some changes to the synonym of both species.

Scats occur in mangrove, estuarine and inshore habitats; they also penetrate the lower reaches of freshwater streams. The body is ovate and laterally compressed, similar in shape to butterfly fishes (Chaetodontidae). Maximum length ranges between 25 and 30 cm.

Weber & de Beaufort (1936) treated the scats and provided illustrations of the two Australian species. Australian species are also dealt with by Steene (1978) and Kuiter & Debelius (2001), who included colour illustrations, and Kottelat (2001).

General References

Kottelat, M. 2001. Scatophagidae. pp. 3623-3626 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218.

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp.

McCulloch, A.R. 1922. Checklist of the fish and fish-like animals of New South Wales. Part 3. The Australian Zoologist 2(3): 86-130 figs 25-43

Parenti, P. 2004. Family Scatophagidae Bleeker 1876. California Academy of Sciences Annotated Checklists of Fishes No. 36: 1–5.

Steene, R.C. 1978. Butterfly and Angelfishes of the World. Australia. Sydney : A.H. & A.W. Reed Vol. 1 144 pp. 216 figs.

Weber, M. & de Beaufort, L.F. 1936. The Fishes of the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Perciformes (continued). Leiden : Brill Vol. 7 607 pp. 106 figs.

Common Name References

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [265] (Butterfishes, Scats)

History of changes

• Scatophagus Cuvier, G.L. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1831. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 7 531 pp. pls 170-208. [136].

  Type species:

   Chaetodon argus Linnaeus, 1766 by subsequent designation, see Jordan, D.S. 1917. The genera of fishes. Part 1. Stanford University Publications, University Series 27: 1-151 [136].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west-central Pacific.

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Central Arnhem (CA), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Dampierland (DL), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Northern Kimberley (NK), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT)

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

History of changes

• Chaetodon argus Linnaeus, C. 1766. Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Holmiae [=Stockholm] : Laurentii Salvii, Tomus I. Regnum Animale(1) Editio duodecima, reformata [3 vols., 1766-68], 532 pp. [464].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, India.
• Scatophagus ornatus Cuvier, G.L. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1831. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 7 531 pp. pls 170-208. [143].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) MNHP A-0273 (2), Ambon Island, Molucca Islands, Indonesia; MNHP A-0274 (2), Ambon Island, Molucca Islands, Indonesia.
• Scatophagus argus ocellata Klunzinger, C.B. 1880. Die von Müller'sche Sammlung australischer Fische in Stuttgart. Sitzungsberichte der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien 80(1): 325-430 pls 1-9 [363].

  Type data:

   Holotype SMNS 2611, Darwin, NT.
• Scatophagus quadratus De Vis, C.W. 1882. Queensland Philosophical Society. Brisbane Courier 1882(3 June): 5 [5] [described subsequently under the name quadranus; placement here based on examination of holotype by J. Johnson of QM].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM I.1847, Cardwell, QLD.
• Scatophagus quadranus De Vis, C.W. 1884. New fishes in the Queensland Museum. No. 2. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 9(3): 453-462 [455].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, QLD.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Parenti, P. 2004. Family Scatophagidae Bleeker 1876. California Academy of Sciences Annotated Checklists of Fishes No. 36: 1–5. [2] (except for Scatophagus quadratus, also Scatophagus aetatevarians is not included here based on information from J. Johnson, in litt)

Generic Combinations

• Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus, 1766). —
  Cuvier, G.L. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1831. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 7 531 pp. pls 170-208. [136]
• Prenes ornatus (Cuvier, 1831). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1956. Ichthyological notes. The Australian Zoologist 12(3): 251-261 [252] (changed combination cited; Prenes Gistel, 1848 is an unnecessary replacement name for Scatophagus)

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Scatophagus tetracanthus (Lacépède, 1802). —
  McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [241] (a misidentification)
• Scatophagus chameleon Saville-Kent, 1893 [nomen nudum in Scatophagidae]. —
  McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [242]
• Scatophagus brunneus Saville-Kent, 1893 [nomen nudum in Scatophagidae]. —
  McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [242]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Port Hedland, WA (20°18'S) to Sydney, NSW (33°53'S); tropical, Indo-west-central Pacific.

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Central Arnhem (CA), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Dampierland (DL), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Northern Kimberley (NK), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT)

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Estuary, freshwater, inshore, mangrove.

Extra Ecological Information

Usually found in estuaries or marine environments, but sometimes found in freshwater in lower reaches of rivers

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [148]

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. [351]

Allen, G.R., Storey, A.W. & Yarrao, M. 2008. Freshwater Fishes of the Fly River Papua New Guinea. Tabubil, Papua New Guinea : Ok Tedi Mining 216 pp. [187]

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1006]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [96] (608)

Grant, E.M. 1991. Fishes of Australia. Brisbane : EM Grant Pty Ltd 480 pp. [237]

Kottelat, M. 2001. Scatophagidae. pp. 3623-3626 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3625]

Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp. [216]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [205]

Lake, J.S. 1978. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Melbourne : Thomas Nelson 160 pp. 140 figs. [65]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [241] (also as Scatophagus tetracanthus, p. 242, as S. brunneus and S. chameleon)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [265]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [47] (1304, as Scatophagus ornatus)

Common Name References

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [348] (Mia-mia)

Kottelat, M. 2001. Scatophagidae. pp. 3623-3626 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3625] (Spotted Scat)

Lake, J.S. 1978. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Melbourne : Thomas Nelson 160 pp. 140 figs. [65] (Spotted Butterfish)

Marshall, T.C. 1964. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coastal Waters of Queensland. Sydney : Angus & Robertson 566 pp. 136 pls. [246] (Spotted Butter-fish)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [265] (Tiger Butterfish, Tiger Scat)

Pollard, J. (ed.) 1980. G.P. Whitley's Handbook of Australian Fishes. North Sydney : Jack Pollard Publishing Pty Ltd 629 pp. [441] (Mia Mia)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Spotted Scat)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Ward, R.D. (eds) 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook. Hobart : CSIRO Marine Research 460 pp. [59] (Butterfish)

History of changes

• Selenotoca Myers, G.S. 1936. On the Indo-Australian fishes of the genus Scatophagus, with a description of a new genus Selenotoca. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 49: 83-86 [83].

  Type species:

   Scatophagus multifasciatus Richardson, 1846 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

East-Indo-west Pacific.

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Central Arnhem (CA), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Dampierland (DL), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Northern Kimberley (NK), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT)

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

History of changes

• Scatophagus multifasciatus Richardson, J. 1846. Ichthyology. 53-74 pls 31-41, 43-44 & 53 (part) in Richardson, J. & Gray, J.E. (eds). The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror under the Command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross, R.N., F.R.S., during the years 1839–43. London : E.W. Janson Vol. 2 139 pp. [for date of publication Hureau, J.C. & Monod, Th. (eds) 1973. Checklist of the Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and of the Mediterranean. CLOFNAM 1. Paris : UNESCO 331 pp. [127]] [57].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 2006.5.19.2 skin, King George Sound, WA (outside known distribution of species).
• Scatophagus altermans Castelnau, F.L. de 1878. Notes on the fishes of the Norman River. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 3(1): 41-51 [47].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) MNHP A.4284 skin (proposed conditionally with vague reference to characters, possibly not an available name), Norman River, QLD.
• Scatophagus semistrigatus De Vis, C.W. 1882. Queensland Philosophical Society. Brisbane Courier 1882(3 June): 5 [5].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) QM I.1281-1287 (possible syntypes; placement here based on information provided by J. Johnson of the QM), Brisbane, QLD.
• Scatophagus aetatevarians De Vis, C.W. 1884. New fishes in the Queensland Museum. No. 2. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 9(3): 453-462 [456] [as Scatophagus aetate-varians].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) QM I.96, QLD; QM I.209, QLD.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Parenti, P. 2004. Family Scatophagidae Bleeker 1876. California Academy of Sciences Annotated Checklists of Fishes No. 36: 1–5. [4] (Scatophagus aetatevarians and S. semistrigatus added here based on information provided by J. Johnson in litt.)

Generic Combinations

• Selenotoca multifasciata (Richardson, 1846). —
  Myers, G.S. 1936. On the Indo-Australian fishes of the genus Scatophagus, with a description of a new genus Selenotoca. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 49: 83-86 [84] (changed combination as type of genus Selenotoca)

Introduction

The synonymy presented here differs from that of Parenti (2004). Discovery of species described in the Courier Mail newspaper, Brisbane by De Vis resulted in a need to reevaluate the previous synonymy. Jeff Johnson of the Queensland Museum provided information about the species listed by De Vis, and is responsible for the synonymy of those names.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Shark Bay, WA (24°53'S) to Sydney, NSW (33°53'S); tropical, west Pacific (Sulawesi, New Guinea and New Caledonia).

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Central Arnhem (CA), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Dampierland (DL), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Northern Kimberley (NK), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT)

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Estuary, freshwater, inshore, mangrove.

Extra Ecological Information

Predominently marine and estuarine, but often found in freshwater in lower reaches of rivers

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [148]

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. [351]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [96] (609)

Kottelat, M. 2001. Scatophagidae. pp. 3623-3626 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3626]

Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp. [216]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [2006]

Lake, J.S. 1978. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Melbourne : Thomas Nelson 160 pp. 140 figs. [65]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [241] (as Scatophagus multifasciatus and S. aetatevarians and p. 242 as S. semistrigatus)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [267]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [47] (1301)

Common Name References

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [346] (Australian Marketing Name) (Butterfish, John Dory)

Kottelat, M. 2001. Scatophagidae. pp. 3623-3626 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3626] (FAO) (Barred Scat)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [90] (Banded Scat)

Marshall, T.C. 1964. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coastal Waters of Queensland. Sydney : Angus & Robertson 566 pp. 136 pls. [246] (Southern Butter-fish)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [267] (Striped Scat, Striped Butterfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Striped Scat)

Yearsley, G.K. (ed.) 1995. Marketing Names for Fish and Seafood in Australia. Canberra : Department of Primary Industries and Energy 170 pp. [12] (Johnny Dory, Old Maid)

History of changes

Introduction

The Siganidae comprise 21 or more species belonging to a single genus Siganus; 15 species occur in Australia and one species included from Coco (Keeling) Islands. Siganids are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical seas of the Indo-West Pacific region.

Rabbitfishes or spinefeet are inshore marine fishes, although sometimes they occur in estuaries and fresh water. Many of the species are confined to coral reef areas. They are generally solitary or form pairs, although a few species may concentrate in large aggregations. Their diet consists of algae and micro-organisms which are scraped from rocks and corals; they also browse on seaweeds and seagrasses. The body is ovate and laterally compressed. The anal spines (seven in number) are more numerous than in other reef fishes. The skin is smooth, covered with minute scales. All species of Siganus have poison glands associated with the fin spines, and they may inflict painful wounds if the fish is handled carelessly. The maximum length is about 53 cm, but most are less than 35 cm.

Woodland (1990) revised the rabbitfishes or spinefeet and dealt with most Australian species in his later publication (Woodland 2001). Kuiter & Debelius (2001) suggested several changes, splitting some species into 2 or 3 geographically isolated species. On the other hand some molecular work has suggested that some colour phases are not genetically distinct (Hsu et al. 2011). Further studies will undoubtedly alter the current classification.

General References

Cuvier, G.L in Cuvier, G.L., Griffith, E. & Smith, C.H. 1834. The class Pisces arranged by the Baron Cuvier with supplementary additions by Griffith and Smith. in, The Animal Kingdom Arranged in Conformity with its Organisation. London : Gilbert & Rivington Vol. 10 680 pp. 64 pls. [pl. 33]

Hsu, T.-H., Adiputra, Y.T., Burridge, C.P. & Gwo J.-C. 2011. Two spinefoot colour morphs: mottled spinefoot Siganus fuscescens and white-spotted spinefoot Siganus canaliculatus are synonyms. Journal of Fish Biology 79: 1350-1355

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp.

Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218.

Common Name References

Edgar, G.J. 2000. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Sydney : Reed New Holland Revised Edn, 544 pp. [499] (Rabbitfishes, Spinefoot)

Pollard, J. (ed.) 1980. G.P. Whitley's Handbook of Australian Fishes. North Sydney : Jack Pollard Publishing Pty Ltd 629 pp. [229] (Mi Mi, Rabbit Fish)

History of changes

• Siganus Forsskål, P. 1775. Descriptiones Animalium Avium, Amphibiorum, Piscium, Insectorum, Vermium; quæ in Itinere Orientali observavit Petrus Forskål. Post Mortem Auctoris edidit Carsten Niebuhr. Adjuncta est Materia Medica Kakirina atque Tabula Maris Rubri Geographica. Hauniæ : Mölleri 1-19, i-xxxiv, 164 pp., 1 map. [25].

  Type species:

   Scarus rivulatus Forsskål, 1775 by monotypy.

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

Siganidae: Siganus rivulatus Forsskål, 1775 [restricted to the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean] — Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [44-46, 50]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west-central Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Lord Howe Province (14), Northeast Province (18), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory, Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands, Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

General References

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1007-1016]

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp.

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs.

Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [16]

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218.

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [138] (Spinefoot)

Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & Ward, R.D. (eds) 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook. Hobart : CSIRO Marine Research 460 pp. [206] (Rabbitfish)

Yearsley, G.K. (ed.) 1995. Marketing Names for Fish and Seafood in Australia. Canberra : Department of Primary Industries and Energy 170 pp. [91] (Black Spinefoot, Black Trevally, Happy Moments)

History of changes

• Amphacanthus argenteus Quoy, J.R.C. & Gaimard, J.P. 1825. Chapter 9. Poissons. 329-401 pls 43-65 in Freycinet, L.C.D. de (ed.). Voyage Autour du Monde, entrepris par orde du Roi, sous le Ministère et conformément aux instructions de S. Exc. M. le Vicomte de Boucharge, secrétaire d'État au Département de la Marine exécuté sur les corvettes de S.M. l'Uranie et la Physicienne, pendent les années 1817, 1818, 1819 et 1820; publié sous les auspices de S.E.M. le Conte Corbière, secrétaire d'État de l'Intérieur, pour la partie historique et les sciences naturelles, et de S.E.M. le Marquis de Clermont-Tonnerre, Secrétaire d'État de la Marine et des Colonies, pour la partie nautique; par M. Louis Freycinet, etc. Paris : Pillet Aîné Vol. 1 + atlas iv 712 pp. [368, pl. 62(3)].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) MNHP A.7043, Guam; MNHP A.7454, Mariana Island; MNHP A.7055, Mariana Island; RMNH 1536, Mariana Island.

Generic Combinations

• Siganus argenteus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825). —
  Fowler, H.W. 1928. The fishes of Oceania. Memoirs of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum 10: 1-540 figs 1-82 pls 1-49 [283]

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Rowley Shoals (17°20'S) and Scott Reef (14°03'S), WA, Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea (12°15'S) and off Cape York (10°48'S) to Moreton Bay (26°58'S), QLD, Lihou Reef, Coral Sea, also Cocos (Keeling) Islands; tropical, Indo-west-central Pacific.

IMCRA

Northeast Province (18), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Northwest Transition (3), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory, Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, inshore, marine, schooling.

General References

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1007]

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [376]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [158]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [435]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [435]

Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [38]

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3632]

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [224] (Silver Spinefoot)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [251] (Schooling Rabbit-fish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [376] (Schooling Rabbitfish)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [435] (Forktail Rabbitfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Forktail Rabbitfish)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3632] (FAO) (Streamlined Spinefoot)

History of changes

• Amphacanthus corallinus Valenciennes, A. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1835. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 10 482 pp. pls 280-306. [139].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) MNHP 7132, Seychelles; RMNH D.1109, Java; ZMB 1692, Seychelles.
• Teuthis studeri Peters, W.C.H. 1877. Übersicht der während der von 1874 bis 1876 unter dem Kommando des Hrn. Kapitän z. S. Freiherrn von Schleinitz ausgeführten Reise S.M.S. Gazelle gesammelten und von der Kaiserlichen Admiralität der Königlichen Akadamie der Wissenschaften äbersandte Fische. Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1876: 831-854 [834] (published in 1877).

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMB 9817, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [23]

Generic Combinations

• Siganus corallinus (Valenciennes, 1835). —
  Jordan, D.S. & Richardson, R.E. 1908. Fishes from the islands of the Philippine Archipelago. Bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries (U.S.) for 1907 27: 233-287 figs 1-12 [271]
• Siganus studeri (Peters, 1877). —
  Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [169]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Siganus teuthopsis (De Vis, 1884) [a species of uncertain identity, possibly a synonym of Siganus corallinus]. —
  McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [271]

Introduction

Further studies are needed to determine whether Siganus studeri from the Pacific is a separate species.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Rowley Shoals (17°20'S) and Scott Reef (14°03'S), WA, Ashmore Reef (12°15'S), Timor Sea, Christmas Island, and Lizard Island (14°40'S) to Capricorn Group (23°30'S), QLD; tropical, Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Christmas Island Province (23), Northwest Transition (3), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, inshore, marine.

General References

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1008]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [168] (from the Indian Ocean and p. 169 as Siganus studeri, from the Pacific)

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [271] (as Siganus teuthopsis)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [436]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [436]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48] (1453 as Amphacanthus corallinus and 1455, as Amphacanthus teuthopsis)

Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [23]

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3634]

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [224] (Ocellated Spinefoot)

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [450] (Coral Spinefoot, Orange Spinefoot)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [253] (Coral Rabbit-fish)

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [169] (as Siganus studeri) (Pacific Coral Rabbitfish)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [436] (Coral Rabbitfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Coral Rabbitfish)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3634] (FAO) (Bluespotted Spinefoot)

History of changes

• Siganus doliatus Cuvier, G.L in Cuvier, G.L., Griffith, E. & Smith, C.H. 1834. The class Pisces arranged by the Baron Cuvier with supplementary additions by Griffith and Smith. in, The Animal Kingdom Arranged in Conformity with its Organisation. London : Gilbert & Rivington Vol. 10 680 pp. 64 pls. [pl. 33, fig. 1] [authorship possibly Guérin-Méneville, F.E. 1844. Iconographie du Règne animal de G. Cuvier...(1829–44). I. Planches des Animaux Vertébrés. Paris. Iconogr. Régne Animal IV, Poissons. pls 1–44. [date of publication uncertain, between 1829-1844], see Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1–136 figs 1–23, 11 pls, p. 81].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) MNHP A.6947, Vanikoro, Solomon Islands; MNHP A.6948, Buru, Indonesia.

Generic Combinations

• Amphacanthus doliatus (Cuvier, 1834). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Siganus virgatus (Valenciennes, 1835). —
  Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [138] (925, a misidentification)

Introduction

There is some uncertainty over publication date and authorship of this species. Some authors attribute authorship to Guérin-Méneville (1829), a work published in parts from 1829 to 1844 and it is not clear to us when the relevant part was published. The name appears on plate 35 as Siganus doliatus Cuv., with reference to Cuvier (1829), which only included a description of the genus. The same illustration with the same name appeared also in Cuvier, Griffith & Smith,(1834). The name is available from both works on the figures as an indication. The formal description followed in Valenciennes (1835), but apparently based on different material under the generic name Amphacanthus.. Type material was determined from that work. In that work, Valenciennes indicated that the drawing from Quoy & Gaimard was lent to Guérin-Méneville, suggesting that his publication may predate Cuvier, Griffith & Smith,(1834). In both cases it appears that authorship of the species name should probably be Cuvier.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Ningaloo Reef, WA (23°00'S) to Moreton Bay, QLD (27°15'S), also Rowley Shoals (17°20'S) and Scott Reef (14°03'S), WA and Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea (12°15'S); tropical, west-central Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Northwest Transition (3), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, inshore, marine.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [222]

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1009]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [167]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [270]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [436]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [436]

Taylor, W.R. 1964. Fishes of Arnhem Land. Records of the American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land 4: 44-307 figs 1-68 [275] (as Teuthis doliata)

Valenciennes, A. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1835. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 10 482 pp. pls 280-306. [132]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48] (1448)

Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [81]

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3635]

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. 1985. Fishes of Western Australia. Book 9. pp. 2207-2534 526 pls in Burgess, W.E. & Axelrod, H.R. (eds). Pacific Marine Fishes. Neptune, New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications. [2481] (Two Barred Rabbitfish)

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [222] (Doublebar Spinefoot)

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [446] (Pencil-streaked Spinefoot)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [253] (Blue-lined Rabbit-fish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [378] (Blue-lined Rabbitfish)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [436] (Barred Rabbitfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Bluelined Rabbitfish)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3635] (FAO) (Barred Spinefoot)

History of changes

• Centrogaster fuscescens Houttuyn, M. 1782. Beschryving van eenige Japanische visschen en andere zeeschepselen. Verhandelingen uitgegeeven door de Hollandse Maatschappye der Wetenschappen te Haarlem 20(2): 311-350 [333] [as Centrogaster Fuscescens].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Japan.
• Amphacanthus maculosus Quoy, J.R.C. & Gaimard, J.P. 1825. Chapter 9. Poissons. 329-401 pls 43-65 in Freycinet, L.C.D. de (ed.). Voyage Autour du Monde, entrepris par orde du Roi, sous le Ministère et conformément aux instructions de S. Exc. M. le Vicomte de Boucharge, secrétaire d'État au Département de la Marine exécuté sur les corvettes de S.M. l'Uranie et la Physicienne, pendent les années 1817, 1818, 1819 et 1820; publié sous les auspices de S.E.M. le Conte Corbière, secrétaire d'État de l'Intérieur, pour la partie historique et les sciences naturelles, et de S.E.M. le Marquis de Clermont-Tonnerre, Secrétaire d'État de la Marine et des Colonies, pour la partie nautique; par M. Louis Freycinet, etc. Paris : Pillet Aîné Vol. 1 + atlas iv 712 pp. [370].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Port Jackson, Sydney.
• Amphacanthus tumifrons Valenciennes, A. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1835. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 10 482 pp. pls 280-306. [159 (in part)] [in part, split syntype series].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) MNHP 2949, Shark Bay, WA and Indo-Pacific region.
• Siganus consobrinus Ogilby, J.D. 1912. On some Queensland fishes. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 1: 26-65 2 figs pls 13-14 [54, pl. 13].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM I.291, Myora Bank, Moreton Bay, QLD.
  Paratype(s) AM I.12537; QM I.291.
• Amphacanthus nebulosus Quoy, J.R.C. & Gaimard, J.P. 1825. Chapter 9. Poissons. 329-401 pls 43-65 in Freycinet, L.C.D. de (ed.). Voyage Autour du Monde, entrepris par orde du Roi, sous le Ministère et conformément aux instructions de S. Exc. M. le Vicomte de Boucharge, secrétaire d'État au Département de la Marine exécuté sur les corvettes de S.M. l'Uranie et la Physicienne, pendent les années 1817, 1818, 1819 et 1820; publié sous les auspices de S.E.M. le Conte Corbière, secrétaire d'État de l'Intérieur, pour la partie historique et les sciences naturelles, et de S.E.M. le Marquis de Clermont-Tonnerre, Secrétaire d'État de la Marine et des Colonies, pour la partie nautique; par M. Louis Freycinet, etc. Paris : Pillet Aîné Vol. 1 + atlas iv 712 pp. [369].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Port Jackson, Sydney.
• Amphacanthus margaritiferus Valenciennes, A. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1835. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 10 482 pp. pls 280-306. [145].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) MNHP A-6943, Vanikoro Island, Santa Cruz Islands, southwestern Pacific; MNHP A-6942, Ambon Island, Molucca Islands, Indonesia.
• Chaetodon canaliculatus Park, M. 1797. Descriptions of eight new fishes from Sumatra. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 3: 33-38 fig. 1 [33].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH BMNH 1863.11.12.17, Sumatra.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [55]
• Hsu, T.-H., Adiputra, Y.T., Burridge, C.P. & Gwo J.-C. 2011. Two spinefoot colour morphs: mottled spinefoot Siganus fuscescens and white-spotted spinefoot Siganus canaliculatus are synonyms. Journal of Fish Biology 79: 1350-1355

Generic Combinations

• Siganus caniculatus (Park, 1797). —
  Allen, G.R. 1988. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. An annotated checklist. Ringwood, Victoria, Australia : New Guinea Fishes Association, Ringwood, Victoria : 8 pp. [138]
• Siganus fuscescens (Houttuyn, 1782). —
  Jordan, D.S. & Fowler, H.W. 1903. A review of the Chaetodontidae and related families of fishes found in the waters of Japan. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 25(1296): 513-563 [560]
• Amphacanthus fuscescens (Houttuyn, 1782). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48]
• Siganus margaritiferus (Valenciennes, 1835). —
  Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [152]
• Siganus nebulosus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825). —
  Allen, G.R., Hoese, D.F., Paxton, J.R., Randall, J.E., Russell, B.C., Starck, W.A., Talbot, F.H. & Whitley, G.P. 1976. Annotated checklist of the fishes of Lord Howe Island. Records of the Australian Museum 30(15): 365-454 figs 1-2 [433]
• Siganus tumifrons (Valenciennes, 1835). —
  Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [149]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Siganus rivulatus Forsskål, 1775 [a misidentification]. —
  Fowler, H.W. 1928. The fishes of Oceania. Memoirs of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum 10: 1-540 figs 1-82 pls 1-49 [282] (a misidentification, in part)
  Marshall, T.C. 1964. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coastal Waters of Queensland. Sydney : Angus & Robertson 566 pp. 136 pls. [344] (a misidentification)
  Thomson, J.M. & Senior, M. 1977. A Field Guide to the Common Sea and Estuary Fishes of Non-tropical Australia. London : Collins pp.144, 32 pls. [110, pl. 13] (a misidentification)

Introduction

Siganus canaliculatus (Park, 1797) has recently been treated as a junior synonym of this species (Hsu et al. 2011), however some authors still regard that species as distinct (see Allen & Erdmann 2012).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Rottnest Island (32°00'S) and Fremantle (32°03'S), WA to Nadgee, NSW (37°26'S), also Middleton Reef and Lord Howe Island; tropical, east-Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Lord Howe Province (14), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, inshore, marine.

Extra Ecological Information

Adjacent weed beds.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [222] (and as S. canaliculatus)

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1007] (as S. canaliculatus)

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [138] (921, and 923 as S. canaliculatus)

Hsu, T.-H., Adiputra, Y.T., Burridge, C.P. & Gwo J.-C. 2011. Two spinefoot colour morphs: mottled spinefoot Siganus fuscescens and white-spotted spinefoot Siganus canaliculatus are synonyms. Journal of Fish Biology 79: 1350-1355

Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp. [376] (as S. nebulosus, regarding it as a subtropical endemic)

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [375] (as S. margaritiferus and S. nebulosus, and p 376 as S. canaliculatus)

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [149] (as S. tumifrons, regarded S. fuscencens as restricted to Japan, and p. 151 as S. nebulosus from eastern Australia, p. 152, as S. margaritiferus and p. 154, as S. canaliculatus)

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [270]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [437]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [437]

Taylor, W.R. 1964. Fishes of Arnhem Land. Records of the American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land 4: 44-307 figs 1-68 [273] (as Teuthis nebulosa)

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48] (1450, as Amphacanthus fuscescens, and 1446 as A. tumifrons, and 1452 as A. nebulosus)

Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [55] (and p. 51 as S. canaliculatus)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3636] (and p. 3633 as S. canaliculatus)

Common Name References

Coleman, N. 1981. Australian Sea Fishes North of 30°S. Lane Cove, NSW : Doubleday Australia Pty Ltd 297 pp. [264] (Fuscous Rabbitfish)

Edgar, G.J. 2000. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Sydney : Reed New Holland Revised Edn, 544 pp. [499] (as as Siganus nebulosus) (Black Rabbitfish)

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [448] (Black Spinefoot, Black Trevally, Blue-spotted Trevally, Happy Moments, Mi Mi, Pearl-spotted Spinefoot, Stinging Bream)

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [374] (Pearly-spotted Rabbitfish)

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [149] (as Siganus tumifrons) (West Australian Rabbitfish)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [437] (Dusky Rabbitfish)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [274] (Pin-spotted Spinefoot)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Black Rabbitfish)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3636] (FAO) (Mottled Spinefoot)

History of changes

• Teuthis javus Linnaeus, C. 1766. Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Holmiae [=Stockholm] : Laurentii Salvii, Tomus I. Regnum Animale(1) Editio duodecima, reformata [3 vols., 1766-68], 532 pp. [507].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BMNH 1853.11.12.30, Java, Indonesia.
• Acanthurus javanus Castelnau, F.L. de 1875. Researches on the fishes of Australia. Intercolonial Exhibition Essays. 2. pp. 1–52 in, Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876 : Official Record. Melbourne. [29] [unjustified emendation of Teuthus javus Linnaeus, 1758].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [67]

Generic Combinations

• Siganus javus (Linnaeus, 1766). —
  Jordan, D.S. & Seale, A. 1907. Fishes of the islands of Luzon and Panay. Bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries (U.S.) for 1906 26: 1-48 figs 1-20 [35]
• Amphacanthus javus (Linnaeus, 1766). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48]

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Darwin, NT (130°50'E) to north of Townsville, QLD (18°52'S); tropical, Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, estuary, inshore.

General References

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1009]

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [376]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [157]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [437]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [437]

Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [67]

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3638]

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [224] (Java Spinefoot)

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [450] (Blue-spotted Spinefoot, Blue-spotted Trevally, Streaky Spinefoot)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [252] (White-spotted Rabbit-fish)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [437] (Java Rabbitfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Java Rabbitfish)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3638] (Streaked Spinefoot)

History of changes

• Amphacanthus lineatus Valenciennes, A. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1835. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 10 482 pp. pls 280-306. [130, pl. 286].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) MNHP A.6930, Waigeo Island, Irian Jaya; MNHP A.6940, Santa Cruz Island, Vanikoro area.
• Teuthis flava De Vis, C.W. 1884. New fishes in the Queensland Museum. No. 2. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 9(3): 453-462 [462].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM I.112, QLD.
• Siganus aurolineatus Ogilby, J.D. 1912. On some Queensland fishes. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 1: 26-65 2 figs pls 13-14 [56].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM I.449, Somerset, Cape York, QLD.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [90]

Generic Combinations

• Siganus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1835). —
  Jordan, D.S. & Seale, A. 1907. Fishes of the islands of Luzon and Panay. Bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries (U.S.) for 1906 26: 1-48 figs 1-20 [35]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Siganus guttatus (Bloch, 1787). —
  Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [446] (a misidentification)

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Point Quobba, WA (24°30'S) to Capricorn Group, QLD (23°30'S), also Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea (12°15'S), and Murray Island, Coral Sea (9°56'S); tropical, east-Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, inshore, marine, schooling.

Extra Ecological Information

Sometimes enters freshwater.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [222]

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1010]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [138]

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [446] (as S. guttatus)

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [164]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [269]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [438]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [438]

Taylor, W.R. 1964. Fishes of Arnhem Land. Records of the American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land 4: 44-307 figs 1-68 [274] (as Teuthis lineata)

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48] (1443 as Amphacanthus lineatus)

Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [90]

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3639]

Common Name References

Coleman, N. 1981. Australian Sea Fishes North of 30°S. Lane Cove, NSW : Doubleday Australia Pty Ltd 297 pp. [263] (Gold-lined Rabbitfish)

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [446] (Golden-lined Spinefoot)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [252] (Lined Rabbit-fish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [376] (Lined Rabbitfish)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [438] (Goldlined Rabbitfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Goldlined Rabbitfish)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3639] (FAO) (Goldenlined Spinefoot)

History of changes

• Amphacanthus puellus Schlegel, H. 1852. Over twee nieuwe soorten van visschen. Bijdragen tot de Dierkunde 1: 38-40 1 fig. [39, fig. 2].

  Type data:

   Holotype RMNH 5145, Ternate or Sulawesi, Indonesia.
• Siganus hexacanthus Barton, O. 1950. A new Siganus, from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. American Museum Novitates 1464: 1-2 [1, fig.].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMNH 18888, Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, QLD.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [63]

Generic Combinations

• Amphacanthus hexacanthus (Barton, 1950). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48]
• Siganus puellus (Schlegel, 1852). —
  Jordan, D.S. & Seale, A. 1906. The fishes of Samoa. Description of the species found in the Archipelago, with a provisional checklist of the fishes of Oceania. Bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries (U.S.) for 1905 25: 173-455 figs 1-111 pls 33-53 [359]

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Rowley Shoals (17°20'S) and Scott Reef (14°03'S), WA, Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea (12°15'S), Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Lizard Island (14°40'S) to Capricorn Group (23°30'S), QLD; tropical, west-central Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Northwest Transition (3), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, inshore, marine.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [224]

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1011]

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [378]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [165]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [438]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [438]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48] (1454 as Amphacanthus hexacanthus)

Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [63]

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3640]

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [224] (Blue-lined Spinefoot)

Coleman, N. 1981. Australian Sea Fishes North of 30°S. Lane Cove, NSW : Doubleday Australia Pty Ltd 297 pp. [261] (Blue-lined Rabbitfish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [253] (Masked Rabbit-fish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [378] (Masked Rabbitfish)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [438] (Bluelined Rabbitfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Masked Rabbitfish)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3640] (FAO) (Masked Spinefoot)

History of changes

• Siganus punctatissimus Fowler, H.W. & Bean, B.A. 1929. Contributions to the biology of the Philippine Archipelago and adjacent regions. The fishes of the series Capriformes, Ephippiformes and Squamipennes, collected by the United States Bureau of Fisheries Steamer Albatross, chiefly in Philippine seas and adjacent waters. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 100(8): 1-351 figs 1-25 [298, fig. 25].

  Type data:

   Holotype USNM 89979, Masinloc Bay, Zambales, Philippines.
  Paratype(s) USNM 182874; USNM 182875; USNM 182876.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Rowley Shoals (17°20'S) and Scott Reef (14°03'S), WA, Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea (12°15'S) and Lizard Island, QLD (14°40'S); tropical, west Pacific (Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea).

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, inshore, marine.

General References

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1012]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [161]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [439]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [439]

Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [71]

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3641]

Common Name References

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [161] (Fine-spotted Rabbitfish)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [439] (Finespotted Rabbitfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Finespotted Rabbitfish)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3641] (FAO) (Peppered Spinefoot)

History of changes

• Amphacanthus punctatus Schneider, J.G. & Forster, J.R. in Bloch, M.E. & Schneider, J.G. 1801. Systema Ichthyologiae Iconibus ex Illustratum. Berlin. 584 pp. [210] (description from Forster manuscript, but name from Schneider).

  Type data:

   Lectotype BMNH 1972.9.25.2 (stuffed), Nomuka Island, Tonga.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [78].
• Siganus capricornensis Whitley, G.P. 1926. The biology of North-West Islet, Capricorn Group. (C) Fishes. The Australian Zoologist 4(4): 227-236 fig. 1 pls 33-34 [231, pl. 3].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM IA.2589, North West Islet, QLD.
• Amphacanthus hexagonatus Bleeker, P. 1854. Bijdrage tot de kennis der ichthyologische fauna van de Kokos-eilanden. Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indië 7: 37-48 [41].

  Type data:

   Holotype whereabouts unknown (Bleeker specimens: RMNH 6313 (possilby 1 of 4), SMNS 10638 (1)), Nova Selma, Cocos-Keeling Islands, Indian Ocean.
• Amphacanthus chrysospilos Bleeker, P. 1852. Bijdrage tot de kennis der ichthyologische fauna van Singapore. Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indië 3: 51-86 [66].

  Type data:

   Holotype RMNH 6303, Singapore.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [73]

Generic Combinations

• Amphacanthus capricornensis (Whitley, 1926). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48]
• Siganus hexagonatus (Bleeker, 1854). —
  McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [271]
• Siganus punctatus (Schneider & Forster, 1801). —
  Jordan, D.S. & Seale, A. 1906. The fishes of Samoa. Description of the species found in the Archipelago, with a provisional checklist of the fishes of Oceania. Bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries (U.S.) for 1905 25: 173-455 figs 1-111 pls 33-53 [360]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Rottnest Island (32°00'S) to Dampier Archipelago (20°28'S), Rowley Shoals (17°20'S) and Scott Reef (14°03'S), WA, Ashmore Reef (12°15'S), Timor Sea, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Groote Eylandt, NT (136°30'S) to North West Solitary Island, NSW (30°01'S), also Murray Island, QLD (9°56'S), Coringa-Herald Cays and Lihou Reef, Coral Sea; tropical, east-Indo-west-central Pacific.

IMCRA

Northeast Province (18), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory, Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, inshore, marine, schooling.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [222]

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1012]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [138] (920)

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [378]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [173]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [271] (as Siganus hexagonatus)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [439]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [439]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48] (1451, as Amphacanthus chrysospilos, 1457, as Ampacanthus capricornensis and 1459, as Amphacanthus hexagonus)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3641]

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [138] (Spotted Spinefoot)

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [450] (Gold-spotted Spinefoot)

Grant, E.M. 1991. Fishes of Australia. Brisbane : EM Grant Pty Ltd 480 pp. [353] (Gold-spot Spinefoot)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [252] (Spotted Rabbit-fish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [378] (Gold-spotted Rabbitfish)

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [173] (Spotted Rabbitfish)

Marshall, T.C. 1964. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coastal Waters of Queensland. Sydney : Angus & Robertson 566 pp. 136 pls. [345] (Yellow-spotted Spinefoot)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [439] (Goldspotted Rabbitfish)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [274] (Punctated Spinefoot)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Spotted Rabbitfish)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3642] (FAO) (Goldspotted Spinefoot)

History of changes

• Sparus spinus Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundem classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentis, synonymis, locis. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae : Laurentii Salvii Vol. 1 10 Edn., 824 pp. [281].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Java, Indonesia.
• Amphacanthus tumifrons Valenciennes, A. in Cuvier, G.L. & Valenciennes, A. 1835. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Paris : Levrault Vol. 10 482 pp. pls 280-306. [159 (in part)] [in part, split syntype series].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) MNHP A.6936, Shark Bay, WA.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [34]

Generic Combinations

• Siganus spinus (Linnaeus, 1758). —
  Fowler, H.W. 1928. The fishes of Oceania. Memoirs of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum 10: 1-540 figs 1-82 pls 1-49 [281]
• Siganus tumifrons (Valenciennes, 1835). —
  McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [270]

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Carnarvon (24°53'S) to Exmouth Gulf (22°05'S), WA, and Murray Islands (9°56'S) to Moreton Bay (27°30'S), QLD, also Coringa Islet, Coral Sea (17°00'S); tropical, east-Indo-west-central Pacific.

IMCRA

Northeast Province (18), Cape Province (20), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory, Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, inshore, marine, schooling.

General References

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1013]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [155]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [270] (as Siganus tumifrons)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [439]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [439]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48] (1446, as Amphacanthus tumifrons)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3644]

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [224] (Spiny Spinefoot)

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [251] (Scribbled Rabbit-fish)

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [155] (Scribbled Rabbitfish)

Marshall, T.C. 1964. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coastal Waters of Queensland. Sydney : Angus & Robertson 566 pp. 136 pls. [345] (Blunt-nosed Spinefoot)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [439] (Spiny Rabbitfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Scribbled Rabbitfish)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3644] (FAO) (Little Spinefoot)

History of changes

• Scarus stellatus Forsskål, P. 1775. Descriptiones Animalium Avium, Amphibiorum, Piscium, Insectorum, Vermium; quæ in Itinere Orientali observavit Petrus Forskål. Post Mortem Auctoris edidit Carsten Niebuhr. Adjuncta est Materia Medica Kakirina atque Tabula Maris Rubri Geographica. Hauniæ : Mölleri 1-19, i-xxxiv, 164 pp., 1 map. [26, x] (the name is listed as Scarus stellatus on pages x and 26, but is listed at beginning of work on unnumbered page as Siganus new genus (Scarus 9 and 10), with stellatus being 10; as a result the species is sometimes listed as Siganus stellatus; see Woodland 1990).

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Generic Combinations

• Siganus stellatus (Forsskål, 1775). —
  Dor, M. 1984. CLOFRES, Checklist of the Fishes of the Red Sea. Jerusalem : Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities 437 pp. 2 figs. [260]

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Cocos (Keeling) Islands; Tropical, Indian Ocean

IMCRA

Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Juveniles: mangrove.

Benthic, coral reef.

Extra Ecological Information

1-10 m.

General References

Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp. [1013]

Kuiter, R.H. & Debelius, H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives. A comprehensive guide to Acanthuroidei. Chorleywood, U.K. : TMC Publishing 208 pp. [174]

Woodland, D.J. 1990. Revision of the fish family Siganidae with descriptions of two new species and comments on distribution and biology. Indo-Pacific Fishes 19: 1-136 figs 1-23, 11 pls [78]

Common Name References

Allen, G.R., Steene, R., Human, P. & Deloach, N. 2003. Reef Fish Identification Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, Florida : New World Publications, Inc. 457 pp. [57] (Honeycomb Rabbitfish)

Woodland, D.J. 2001. Siganidae. pp. 3627-3650 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, T.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 6 pp. 3381-4218. [3645] (FAO) (Brownspotted Spinefoot)

History of changes