Labyrinth spinefoot (Siganus labyrinthodes)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Acanthuriformes · Family: Siganidae · Genus: Siganus.

Accepted name: Siganus labyrinthodes · Authority: (Bleeker, 1853) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 273915.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Amphacanthus labyrinthodes Bleeker, 1853; Teuthis labyrinthodes (Bleeker, 1853); Teuthis labyrinthoides (Bleeker, 1853).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=273915 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Siganus labyrinthodes. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 25 cm · Depth range: 1–10 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 15 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Coastal species which occurs around coral reefs. Probably forms schools. Has herbivorous dentition. Either rare or not being recorded separately from similar species (Ref. 9813). Found in pairs on shallow coastal reefs (Ref. 48637).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 4627) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Siganus-labyrinthodes.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Siganus labyrinthodes (Bleeker, 1853) as Data Deficient (code DD). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 261540595) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/261540595/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2390308) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2390308/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Siganus labyrinthodes was first formally described in 1853 as Teuthis javus by the Dutch physician and ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker with the type locality given as Jakarta, Java in Indonesia. The specific name labyrinthodes means “labyrinth like”,, Bleeker did not explain this but it may be a reference to the pattern of lines on the head and sides.

Siganus labyrinthodes has an oblong shaped, laterally compressed body, with a length that is around 2.5 times its depth. The caudal fin is emarginate. Like all rabbitfishes, the dorsal fin has 13 spines and 10 soft rays while the anal fin has 7 spines and 9 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 25 cm.The upper body is golden red with a paler lower body The head, back and flanks are marked with many slender blue lines which vary in form including ones which are undulating, reticulating, transverse and horizontal.

Siganus labyrinthodes has a relatively restricted known distribution in the western central Pacific. It has been recorded only from Java and the Moluccas in Indonesia, although it may be overlooked elsewhere. It is a coastal species which is associated with reefs at depths between 1 and 10 m.

Siganus labyrinthodes is thought likely to aggregate in schools although pairs have been recorded on coastal reefs in shallow waters. Its teeth suggest that this species is herbivorous. The fin spines are robust and contain venom glands.

Source: Wikipedia: Siganus labyrinthodes — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siganus_labyrinthodes (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.