Barhead Spinefoot aka Two Barred Rabbitfish

TAXONOMY

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)

Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)

Family: Siganidae (Rabbitfishes and Spinefoots)

 

Genus/species: Siganus virgatus

 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Yellow above, white below with yellow dorsal and caudal fins; blue markings on head and back. Eyes masked by a black stripe that extends from the bottom of the mouth to the top of the head, and a brown band running diagonally from nape to chin.

 

Length up to 11.8 inches

 

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Tropical west Pacific in shallow coastal waters, around hard coral reefs and areas of sand with patches of rock and soft coral. Tolerant of murky waters. Depth 1–15 m (3-45 ft).

 

DIET IN THE WILD: Feeds on benthic seaweeds

 

REPRODUCTION: Pelagic spawner

 

MORTALITY: Stout venomous spines discourage would-be predators.

 

CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List Not evaluated

 

REMARKS : Fins and spines are venomous. Caution must be used when handling. Reactions can range from mild to severe

Named rabbitfish due to their voracious appetite.

 

References

 

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016

 

Ron's Wordpress shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-1fn

 

Ron's flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/4533131275/

 

EOL eol.org/pages/206659/details

 

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/4624

 

04/13/10, 4-23-13, 4-7-14, 5-31-16

Done