Animal Species:Coral Rabbitfish, Siganus corallinus (Valenciennes, 1835)

The Pacific Coral Rabbitfish is yellow with numerous small blue spots on the head and body. In Australia it is known from the Great Barrier Reef.

Coral Rabbitfish at 'Challenger Bay'

Coral Rabbitfish at 'Challenger Bay'
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Bluespotted Spinefoot, Coral Spinefoot, Ocellated Spinefoot, Orange Spinefoot, Pacific Coral Rabbitfish

Identification

The Pacific Coral Rabbitfish is yellow with numerous small blue spots on the head and body. There is a dark triangular area above and behind the eye. The species has been called Siganus studeri in some publications

Size range

The species grows to 30 cm in length.

Distribution

It is found on coral reefs of the Western Pacific. In Australia it is known from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Siganus corallinus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Coral Rabbitfish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:
corallinus
Genus:
Siganus
Family:
Siganidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  2. Kuiter, R.H & H. Debelius. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and their relatives. A Comprehensive Guide to Acanthuroidei. TMC Publishing. Pp. 208.(as Siganus studeri)
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Coral Rabbitfish, Siganus corallinus, Siganidae, yellow, blue, 'normal fish', 10 cm - 30 cm, dots/spots, coral reef, marine, adult, mainre,