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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Venomous 🌡️ Tropical

Streaked spinefoot

Siganus javus Linnaeus, 1766
Max Length
53 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2.4
Depth
0–20 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
32.00/100
Typical Length
30 cm
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Occurs in small schools of up to 10 individuals or so, in shallow coastal waters, brackish lagoons and rocky or coral reefs. Feeds on algae attached to the substrate and on floating algal fragments. Found resting in midwater at depths of 2 to 6 m when not feeding. Marketed fresh . Maximum depth from Ref. 027115.

Scientific Name
Siganus javus
Authority
Linnaeus, 1766
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
53 cm
Depth Range
0–20 m
Latitude
20°S – 30°N
Trophic Level
2.4
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
32.00/100
Migration
Oceanodromous
Water Temp
25–28 °C
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 7; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 13. Body bronze above, white on belly and thorax; iris light brown; pectoral fins hyaline, pelvic fins white. Slender and pungent dorsal spines; anal spines stout. Preopercular angle 78°-92°. Strong scales cover cheeks. Midline of thorax scaled but not pelvic ridges. Broad-based triangular flap of anterior nostril reaching half way to posterior nostril in juveniles, reducing to a small crescent with age.: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Streaked spinefoot is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 20 m , usually 2 - 20 m . Tropical; 25°C - 28°C ; 30°N - 20°S

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish 🪸 Reef Associated
Migration
Oceanodromous
Trophic Level
2.4±0.08
🐠 Schooling
Food Items

algae attached to the substrate and on floating algal fragments

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01479 × L3.05 (TL)
Max TL
53cm
Dorsal Spines
13
Dorsal Rays
10
Anal Spines
7
Anal Rays
9
Vertebrae
13

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
25–28°C
Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2015

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
32.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.4
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
30°N – 20°S
Described By
Linnaeus, 1766

⚠️ Venom Profile

Medical Warning: This species is venomous. Seek immediate medical attention if envenomated. Contact emergency services and follow first aid guidance below.
Venom Type
proteinaceous neurotoxin
Delivery
dorsal, anal, and pelvic fin spines
Potency
Severe
Mortality Risk
Low
Symptom Onset
5min
Duration
24.0hrs
Antivenom
✗ Not Available
Named Toxins
high-molecular-weight protein (Stonustoxin analogue) acetylcholine
Symptoms
  • immediate intense pain
  • swelling
  • erythema
  • occasional nausea and weakness
Affected Body Systems
peripheral nervous system cardiovascular
First Aid
Immerse affected area in hot water (45 C, tolerable) for 30-90 minutes to denature toxin. Do not apply ice.
Medical Treatment

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

"Streaked spinefoot is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 19 g
Omega-3 (total) 102 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Streaked spinefoot has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Acanthurus javanus Castelnau 1875 Synonym
Amphacanthus javanus Linnaeus 1766 Synonym
Amphacanthus javus Linnaeus 1766 Synonym
Amphacanthus spec Linnaeus 1766 Synonym
Teuthis brevirostris Gronow 1854 Synonym
Teuthis javus Linnaeus 1766 Synonym
Theutis java Linnaeus 1766 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 12 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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