Masked spinefoot
Masked spinefoot | |
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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
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Siganus puellus. |