Masked spinefoot

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[2] at depths of 10 to 100 feet.

Masked spinefoot

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Siganidae
Genus: Siganus
Species:
S. puellus
Binomial name
Siganus puellus
(Schlegel, 1852)

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.[3]

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

References
  1. Carpenter, K.E. & Smith-Vaniz, W.F. 2016. Siganus puellus (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T69738690A115470521. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T69738690A69742619.en. Downloaded on 23 July 2020.
  2. Fishbase
  3. Australian museum Fish site
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