Streamlined spinefoot
📖 Overview
Inhabits coastal and inner reef slopes and lagoons. Usually occurs in large schools that swim fast and well above the substrate, occasionally all diving down to the bottom to feed . Juveniles and adults occur in small schools (2-100) around coral reefs, typically in surge zone at reef edge. Juveniles live near the surface in dense aggregations up to several km offshore, migrating to reef flats just prior to metamorphosis. Feeds on algae . Juveniles and adults not frequently found in markets; but prejuveniles form a brief but important fishery when migrating on to the reef flat, e.g. combined catch (with Siganus spinus of 16 tonnes in one season in Guam. Prejuveniles eaten fresh, pickled in brine or made into fish paste . Consumed as food although it is known to be occasionally poisonous . Used in Chinese medicine .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 7; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 13. This species is distinguished by the following characters: juveniles and adults with body oval and compressed, slender, fusiform, greatest body depth 2.4-3 in SL; anterior nostril with a long flap reaching to or past posterior nostril; last dorsal-fin spine very short, 2.6-3.5 times in longest dorsal-fin spine; last anal-fin spine shortest, 2.1-3.1 times in longest (second or third) anal-fin spine; caudal fin deeply forked. Colour of body blue or greyish above, silvery below; variations in markings (spots, curved lines); head and trunk usually covered with small yellow spots, bars, and commas, much larger than interspaces and quarter to 1/2 size of pupil; spots usually joining to form horizontal wavy lines, particularly on lower sides; yellow pectoral-fin axil, usually yellow stripes along base of dorsal fin and a dark brown bar immediately posterior to the upper opercular margin; colours fade rapidly at death so that head and trunk may be solid brown .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Streamlined spinefoot is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Spawn in group .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 40 m , usually 1 - 30 m . Tropical; 25°C - 29°C ; 30°N - 30°S, 32°E - 128°W East Africa to Pitcairn.
🌿 Ecology
algae (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Streamlined spinefoot is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 132 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Streamlined spinefoot has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | forktail rabbitfish · Schooling Rabbit-fish · Schooling Rabbitfish · Silver Spinefoot · Silvery Rabbitfish, Streamlined spinefoot · streamlined spinefoot |
| 🏳️Catalan | Gitano platejat |
| 🌍CES | králíčkovec stříbřitý |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Gaffelhalet kaninfisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Silber-Kaninchenfisch |
| 🌍FIJ | nuqa roro |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Kuviokaniinikala |
| 🇫🇷French | Picot d'herbier, Picot gris, Vrai picot · Poisson-lapin argenté · Sigan vermiculé · Vrai picot |
| 🌍HEB | סיכן פצול-זנב |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce coniglio argentato · Pesce coniglio coda a forbice |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Hanaaigo · ハナアイゴ |
| 🌍MSA | Belaris · Belibas · Debam · Dengkis · Gelibas · Ketang lada · Lumban |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Zilveren Konijnvis |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-coelho-prateado |
| 🌍TAH | marava |
| 🌍TGL | Alama · Balawis · Indongan |
| 🌍THA | ปลาใบขนุนสีเงิน |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 銀臭肚魚 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amphacanthus argenteus | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Amphacanthus mertensii | Valenciennes | 1835 | Synonym |
| Amphacanthus rostratus | Valenciennes | 1835 | Synonym |
| Siganas rostrata | Valenciennes | 1835 | Synonym |
| Siganus argebteys | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Heterotypic |
| Siganus rostratus | Valenciennes | 1835 | Synonym |
| Siganus vitianus | Sauvage | 1882 | Synonym |
| Teuthis argentea | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Teuthis oligosticta | Kner | 1868 | Synonym |
| Teuthis rostrata | Valenciennes | 1835 | Synonym |
| Teuthis rostrytus | Valenciennes | 1835 | Synonym |
| Teuthis vitianus | Sauvage | 1882 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 23 records indexed .
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