Family SIGANIDAE

Siganidae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

Siganus doliatus

© Copyright Cuvier 1834

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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)

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