Brown-spotted spinefoot (Siganus stellatus)

Scientific name: Siganus stellatus Forssk?l, 1775

The Brown-spotted spinefoot (Siganus stellatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Siganidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Indian Ocean, Red Sea and East Africa to the Andaman Sea.

Brown-spotted spinefoot care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 7; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 13. Indian Ocean subspecies. S. s. laqueus greyish green with head and body covered with chocolate brown spots; in S. s. stellatus, background color is yellowish. Trailing edges of soft parts of dorsal and anal fins, perimeter of caudal fin and a saddle over the caudal peduncle are markedly paler than the rest. Silvery iris, tinted brown or green, with 10 equally spaced spots. Spines stout; pungent only in juveniles. Preopercular angle 92?-103?. Strong scales cover the cheeks. Usually midline of thorax fully scaled, but pelvic ridges sometimes without scales.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Siganus stellatus
Family: Siganidae (Rabbitfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 40.0
Common length: 35.0
Depth range: 1 m (3 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - ? m, usually 5 - 30 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indian Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to the Andaman Sea.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Venomous
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)