SIGANIDAE


Siganus virgatus
(photo by Surapong Banchongmanee)


Siganus virgatus
(Valenclennes, 1835)
Doublebarred Spinefoot

D XIII, 10; A VII, 9; P1 16-17; P2 I, 3, I.

Body oval, strongly compressed, its depth 1.8-2.3 in SL. Snout moderate, dorsal profile of head convex. Fifth to seventh dorsal-fin spine longest. Third or fourth anal-fin spine usually longest. Caudal fin emarginate. Color: a dark brown band running from nape through eye to chin; another from fourth to fifth dorsal-fin spine bases to pectoralfin base; these dark bands containing light blue small spots and short lines; posterior to second band, orange to yellow dorsally with light blue spots, silver white ventrally. Size: maximum length 30 cm. Distribution: eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, from southern India to northern Australia, north to southern Japan. Remarks: inhabits shallow coastal waters, around coral reefs. Juveniles often enter mangrove areas. (Seishi Kimura)