| Family: |
Siganidae (Rabbitfishes) |
| Max. size: |
24 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: endemic to Fiji, with strays recorded from New Caledonia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 7-7; Anal soft rays: 9-9; Vertebrae: 23-23. Color dark purplish brown except pectoral fins, soft portions of dorsal and anal fins, caudal fin, and posterior part of body; demarcation of 2 colors is sharp. Preopercular angle 110°-114°; strong overlapping scales cover cheeks, 9-10 rows deep below center of orbit; midline of thorax fully scaled. Spines stout, pungent and venomous. Snout slightly shorter and less tubular, less concave above the nostrils. Caudal fin slightly incised. |
| Biology: |
Found among hard corals at the faces of drop-offs at reef edges or in deep pools inside reef crests. Juveniles form schools, adults occur in pairs. Feeds on seaweeds (Ref. 9813). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 12 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
venomous |
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