Siganus puelloides
A venomous rabbitfish found in Indian Ocean coral reefs.
The blackeye rabbitfish (Siganus puelloides) is a marine ray-finned fish in the rabbitfish family Siganidae, native to the Indian Ocean. Its dorsal fin contains 13 spines and 10 soft rays, while the anal fin has 7 spines and 9 soft rays; a forward-pointing spine is embedded in the nape. The deeply forked caudal fin and a maximum total length of 31 cm (12 in) characterize the species. Coloration is light blue on the upper body and silvery below, with yellow spots covering the head, body, and caudal peduncle—round on the upper body but merging into lines on the lower body. A brown band runs across the chin.
First formally described in 1979 by ichthyologists David J. Woodland and John E. Randall, the type locality is Vilingili Island in the Maldives’ Male Atoll. The specific name *puelloides* reflects its resemblance to the Pacific masked spinefoot (*Siganus puellus*). The species occurs in the tropical Indian Ocean, including the Seychelles, Maldives, Andaman Islands, and the Andaman Sea coasts of Myanmar and Thailand, at depths of 1 to 20 m (3 ft 3 in to 65 ft 7 in) in coral reef lagoons and outer reefs.
Typically encountered in pairs, though single individuals and schools are also recorded, the blackeye rabbitfish differs from most rabbitfish by including animal matter in its diet, feeding on sessile colonial tunicates, sponges of the order Monaxonida, and benthic algae. Its fin spines produce venom; a study of a congener’s venom found it similar to that of stonefishes. The species is sometimes caught by spear fishers and sold fresh.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Siganus puelloides
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The blackeye rabbitfish was first formally described in 1979 by ichthyologists David J. Woodland and John E. Randall, with the type locality given as Vilingili Island, part of Male Atoll in the Maldives. Its specific name puelloides refers to its similarity to its Pacific Ocean congener the masked spinefoot (S. puellus). The species has 13 spines and 10 soft rays in the dorsal fin, while the anal fin has 7 spines and 9 soft rays. There is a forward-pointing spine embedded in the nape, and it has a deeply forked caudal fin. The colour is light blue on the upper body and silvery on the lower body, with yellow spots covering the head, body, and caudal peduncle—round on the upper body and merging into lines on the lower body. A brown band runs across the chin.
Reader's Guide
The blackeye rabbitfish is found in the tropical Indian Ocean, including the Seychelles, the Maldives, the Andaman Islands, and the Andaman Sea coasts of Myanmar and Thailand. It occurs at depths between 1 and 20 m in coral reef lagoons and on outer reefs. Normally encountered in pairs, single individuals and schools have also been recorded. Unlike most other rabbitfish, animal matter is important in their diet; they feed on sessile colonial tunicates, sponges of the order Monaxonida, and benthic algae. This species produces venom in the spines of its fins; a study of a congener's venom found it similar to the venom of stonefishes. The blackeye rabbitfish is sometimes caught by spear fishers and any caught may be sold fresh.
Did You Know?
- Its specific name puelloides refers to its similarity to the masked spinefoot (Siganus puellus).
- Unlike most rabbitfish, it feeds on animal matter such as tunicates and sponges.
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