Description:

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

Head and body light greyish-brown and covered in small densely spaced brown spots.  Diffuse eye sized, dark blotch at lateral line origin, very prominent in juveniles. Black spots on fins, caudal fin and trailing edges of dorsal and anal fins with a whitish margin. Iris with 9-10 evenly spaced brown spots.

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range: unknown. Max Length: 40cm TL.

(Carpenter 2018, cites max length as 35cm TL).

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits seagrass beds, seaward coral reefs and lagoons (depth 1-30m). Adults typically fund in pairs, juveniles and sub-adults form schools. Adults feed on benthic seaweeds.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery, where it is a regular but not numerous component of the catch. 

Notes:

Venomous spines may inflict painful injury.

References:

Bray, D.J.  Siganus stellatus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 20 Mar 2019, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2215

Carpenter, K.E. et al 2018. Siganus stellatus. The IUCN Red List 2018: e.T117007235A117008793. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T117007235A117008793.en. (20/03/19).

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. 2018. FishBase. http://fishbase.mnhn.fr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=4622 (19/03/19).

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

Smith, M & Heemstra, P Eds. (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

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

Citation: