SIGANIDAE


Siganus fuscescens, 6.5 cm SL
(photo by Koichi Shibukawa)



Siganus fuscescens
(photo by Suraphong Banchongmanee)


Siganus fuscescens
(Houttuyn, 1782)
Mottled Spinefoot

D XIII, 10; A VII, 9; P1 15-17.

Body oval, relatively slender, its depth 2.3-2.9 in SL. Last anal-fin spine 1.3-1.5 in longest anal-fin spine. Soft parts of dorsal and anal fins low, longest dorsal fin ray 0.5-1 times in longest dorsal fin spine. Caudal fin slightly concave in individuals smaller than 10 cm SL, and becoming more concave with growth. Color: greatly variable, but body ground color olive green or light brown on sides and back, silvery on ventral half; many small light blue spots scattered on head and body. Size: maximum size 40 cm, commonly to 25 cm. Distribution: western coast of Malay Peninsula and West Pacific from Thailand eastward to New Caledonia, northward to the Ryukyu Islands, and southward to northern Australia. (Keiichi Matsuura)