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| fishes text index | photo index |
| Phylum Chordata > Subphylum Vertebrata > fishes |
| Rabbitfishes Family Siganidae updated Aug 08
Where seen? These secretive fishes are seasonally common in seagrass areas on many of our shores. They often lie quietly among seagrasses or hidden among coral rubble, relying on their camouflage to avoid detection. What are rabbitfishes? They belong to Family Siganidae. According to FishBase: the family has 2 genera and 25 species. They are found in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean seas. Features: Can be quite small (about 8cm or less) to quite large (about 15cm). It has spines on its fins that are grooved and contain venom glands. These spines may be found on the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins. The sting of these spines can be quite painful to humans, but is generally not fatal. It is named for its rabbit-like snout ('siganus' means 'has a nose like a rabbit') or possibly for its habit of grazing on seaweeds. It is also called Spinefoot after the spines on its pelvic fins, a unique feature of this family. It has tiny scales. What do they eat? All rabbitfishes are herbivores, grazing on algae that grows on the sea bottom, and seagrasses. They have small mouths with tiny teeth. They are active during the day. Rabbitfishes often travel in schools, sometimes in pairs. Human uses: The White-spotted rabbitfish (Siganus canaliculatus) is highly sought after for eating during the Chinese Lunar New Year. At this time, the fishes breed and their roe are particularly relished. Called 'Pei Tor', the Chinese believe it eating it brings good luck. Other species are important foodfishes in other parts of the world. Some of the more colourful reef rabbitfishes are also collected for the aquarium trade. Status and threats: None of our rabbitfishes are listed among the threatened animals of Singapore. But over-fishing of the White-spotted rabbitfish during their breeding season can affect their populations. Like other creatures of the intertidal zone, they are affected by human activities such as reclamation and pollution. Over-fishing can also have an impact on local populations. |
 The White-spotted rabbitfish is often seen. Changi, Jun 05  The Orange-spotted rabbitfish is sometimes seen. Chek Jawa, Aug 02  The Streaked rabbitfish is seldom seen. Chek Jawa, Aug 02 |
They graze (on algae) just like rabbits.
They
are among our favourite seafood. However, overharvesting
can affect their populations.| Family
Siganidae recorded for Singapore from Wee Y.C. and Peter K. L. Ng. 1994. A First Look at Biodiversity in Singapore. in red are those listed among the threatened animals of Singapore from Ng, P. K. L. & Y. C. Wee, 1994. The Singapore Red Data Book: Threatened Plants and Animals of Singapore.
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Links
References
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Periplus Editions. 292 pp.|
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