Description:

Dorsal spines: 13; Dorsal rays: 10; Anal spines: 7; Anal rays: 9;

Deep and compressed-bodied rabbitfish with protruding snout and forked caudal fin. Head, body and fins a distinctive metallic yellow. Head, breast and sides covered with pale blue ocelli with dark blue margins which are larger and more densely crowded on the head than the body. Iris orange brown. Living specimens display a dark smudge-like marking above the eye.

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 35.0 cm SL, commonly to 20cm TL.

(Woodland cites Max total length as “about 30 cm”.)

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits coral reefs and lagoons (depth 3-30m). Juveniles found in small schools in seagrass beds. Adults usually in pairs on shallow coral reefs and sedentary about branching corals to depths of about 6 m. Feeds on benthic algae.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery and is a reasonably common but no abundant component of the catch. 

Notes:

Venomous spines.

References:

Australian Museum. Coral Rabbitfish, Siganus corallinus (Valenciennes, 1835). https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/fishes/coral-rabbitfish-siganus-corallinus/ (20/03/19).

Bray, D.J. 2017, Siganus corallinus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 20 Mar 2019, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4733

Carpenter, K.E. et al 2016. Siganus corallinus. The IUCN Red List 2016: e.T69689242A115469109. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T69689242A69690334.en. (20/03/19).

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. 2018. FishBase. http://fishbase.sinica.edu.tw/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=4611&AT=Indian+coral+rabbitfish (19/03/19).

Nevill, J. (2013). A Species Identification Guide for Commonly Caught Fish in the Seychelles Near-Shore Artisanal Fishery. GOS/UNDP/GEF.

Woodland, D.J. Siganidae. Rabbitfishes (Spinefoots) www.fao.org/docrep/pdf/009/y0870e/y0870e27.pdf (20/03/19).  

Citation: