Vermiculated spinefoot
A venomous, commercially important rabbitfish of the Indo-West Pacific.
The vermiculated spinefoot, also called the maze rabbitfish, scribbled spinefoot, or vermiculate rabbitfish, is a marine ray-finned fish in the rabbitfish family Siganidae. Its dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins carry venomous spines, a trait shared by all rabbitfishes. This species lives in association with reefs across the Indo-West Pacific region and is a common, commercially valuable fish in many tropical countries.
French zoologist Achille Valenciennes first formally described this fish in 1835, naming it *Amphacanthus vermiculatus* and listing New Guinea as the type locality. Its species name, *vermiculatus*, refers to the maze-like pattern on the bodies of living individuals.
The body of the vermiculated spinefoot is deep and flattened from side to side, with a depth that measures 1.9 to 2.2 times into its standard length. The nape bulges, and there is a slight indentation above each eye. Its snout is deep, blunt, and also bulging. A flange on the front nostril is slightly widened toward the rear. A recumbent spine sits in front of the dorsal fin. As with all rabbitfishes, the dorsal fin contains 13 spines and 10 soft rays, while the anal fin has 7 spines and 9 soft rays; these spines house venom glands. The caudal fin is emarginate. This species can reach a maximum total length of 45 cm (18 in), though 30 cm (12 in) is more typical. A grey and whitish, complex maze-like or reticulate pattern covers the body, with a yellow patch on the head and spots on the caudal fin.
The vermiculated spinefoot ranges from southern India and Sri Lanka eastward through the western Pacific Ocean to Palau and Guam, and south to Vanuatu, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Australia. In Australia, it has been reported from Darnley Island and Townsville in northern Queensland, though its presence there requires confirmation. It inhabits shallow coastal waters, especially estuaries. Both adults and juveniles are most common in shallow, sediment-laden waters within mangroves, following the tide in and out. Adults occasionally appear in clear water near reefs or above sandy substrates.
This fish browses on algae growing on seagrass, mangrove roots, and rocks. Adults gather in aggregations of several hundred individuals to spawn during summer, with pairs laying eggs that adhere to the substrate. The lunar cycle governs their spawning behavior.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Siganus vermiculatus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The vermiculated spinefoot was first formally described in 1835 as Amphacanthus vermiculatus by the French zoologist Achille Valenciennes, with the type locality given as New Guinea. The specific name vermiculatus refers to the vermiculated or maze pattern on the bodies of the living fish. The body is covered in a grey and whitish complex maze-like or reticulate pattern with a patch of yellow on the head and spots on the caudal fin.
This species has a deep and laterally compressed body with a bulging nape and a slight indentation above each eye. The deep, blunt snout also bulges. The front nostril has a flange slightly widened to its rear, and there is a recumbent spine to the front of the dorsal fin. The fin spines hold venom glands, and the caudal fin is emarginate.
The vermiculated spinefoot is found from southern India and Sri Lanka eastwards into the western Pacific Ocean as far east as Palau and Guam, south to Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia and Australia. In Australia it has been reported from Darnley Island and Townsville in northern Queensland but its presence in Australian waters needs to be confirmed. It is found in shallow, coastal waters, especially estuaries, with both adults and juveniles commonest in shallow, sediment-laden waters in mangroves, following the tide in and out. Adults are occasionally encountered in clear water near reefs or above sandy substrates.
Reader's Guide
The vermiculated spinefoot is notable as a large, fast-growing species that is sold fresh in markets in India, Sri Lanka and Fiji, where it commands premium prices. It is caught using nets and fixed traps, reflecting its commercial importance in many tropical countries. The species produces venom in the spines of its fins; a study of a congener (S. fuscescens) found that rabbitfish venom was similar to the venom of stonefishes. Ecologically, it browses algae growing on seagrass, the roots of mangrove, and on rocks. Adults gather in aggregations of several hundred individuals to spawn in the summer, spawning in pairs and laying eggs that adhere to the substrate, with the lunar cycle governing spawning behavior. Its distinctive maze-like pattern and association with mangrove and reef habitats make it a recognizable species within its range.
Did You Know?
- The vermiculated spinefoot was first formally described in 1835 by French zoologist Achille Valenciennes.
- This species has venomous spines on the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins, and its venom is similar to that of stonefishes.
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