Streamlined spinefoot

The streamlined spinefoot (Siganus argenteus) is a species of rabbitfish. It grows to 20 to 40 cm long, and lives in shallow areas of the Indo-Pacific, typically ranging from 2 to 40 m deep. Like all rabbitfish, it has venomous spines on most of its fins. It has been reported to cause hallucinations when consumed.

Streamlined spinefoot
At Great Barrier Reef, Australia (above), and Raja Ampat, Indonesia (below)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Siganidae
Genus: Siganus
Species:
S. argenteus
Binomial name
Siganus argenteus
(Quoy & Gaimard, 1825)[2]

Description

It has a blue body with a silvery underside, with dark-brown markings, mostly spots and curved lines; it has 13 venomous dorsal spines, seven anal spines, and silvery-yellow irises. Brown markings become more prominent when it is scared, and its fins will become rigid and erect. It has fine scales on the cheeks and gills; the midline of its thorax is without scales.

Diet

Siganus argenteus is a herbivore, feeding mainly on algae in shallow rocky areas and reefs. It is most commonly found in groups of 10 to 15.

References
  1. Carpenter, K.E., Lawrence, A. & Myers, R. 2016. Siganus argenteus (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T69689070A115468608. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T69689070A69690329.en. Downloaded on 23 July 2020.
  2. Fishbase.org


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