Masked spinefoot

Masked spinefoot
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Siganidae
Genus: Siganus
Species: S. puellus
Binomial name
Siganus puellus
(Schlegel, 1852)

The masked spinefoot (Siganus puellus), also known as decorated rabbitfish or masked rabbitfish, occurs in shallow, coral-rich areas of clear lagoons and seaward reefs of the Indo-West Pacific region[1] at depths of 10 to 100 feet.

Its body is yellow-orange dorsally grading through pale blue to white below. The body is also covered with wavy blue lines that are vertical anteriorly and horizontal posteriorly. The eyes are masked by a prominent blackish stripe that extends from the bottom of the mouth to the top of the head. As the black stripe passes the eye it becomes spotted.[2]

Care needs to be taken with them, as they have poisonous spines. When stressed, they will flash and point their poisonous spines at any threat. Its sting is similar to a lionfish.

References

  1. ↑ Fishbase
  2. ↑ Australian museum Fish site
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