Spotted Rabbitfish, Siganus punctatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Scientific name: Siganus punctatus
Alternative name/s:
Goldspotted Rabbitfish, Goldspotted Spinefoot, Punctated Spinefoot, Yellow-spotted Spinefoot
Spotted Rabbitfish Click to enlarge image
A Spotted Rabbitfish at a depth of 16m, the Cod Hole, outer Great Barrier Reef off Lizard Island, Queensland, June 2002. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Siganus
    Species
    punctatus
    Family
    Siganidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 40 cm in length.

Introduction

The Spotted Rabbitfish can be recognised by its colouration. It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Western Pacific.

Identification

The Spotted Rabbitfish can be recognised by its colouration. It is blue, with numerous orange spots covering the head, body and caudal fin. There is sometimes a dark, eye-sized "ear spot" behind the eye.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Western Pacific. In Australia it is known from south-western to north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland to northern New South Wales.

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.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. 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.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Kuiter, R.H & H. Debelius. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and their relatives. A Comprehensive Guide to Acanthuroidei. TMC Publishing. Pp. 208.
  6. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.