SIGANIDAE Siganus stellatus (photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin) Siganus stellatus (Forsskål, 1775) Brownspotted Spinefoot D XIII, 10; A VII, 9; P1 16; P2 I, 3, I. Body oval, strongly compressed, its depth 2.0-2.3 in SL. Snout short, dorsal profile of head almost straight with slightly convex interorbital. Sixth or seventh dorsal-fin spine longest. Last anal-fin spine usually longest. Caudal fin deeply forked in adults. Color: head and body grayish with numerous dark brown spots; iris silver with dark spots; margins of caudal fin and posterior dorsal and anal fins white. Size: maximum length 40 cm. Distribution: Red Sea and Indian Ocean from East Africa to Andaman Sea. Remarks: found in coral reefs; juveniles often enter estuaries. Siganus stellatus can be divided into two subspecies, S. s. stellatus (endemic to Red Sea) and S. s. laqueus von Bonde, 1934 (Indian Ocean). Background color is yellowish in Red Sea subspecies. (Seishi Kimura)