Black Rabbitfish (frightened)

Siganus fuscescens is a species of marine fish of the family Siganidae, order Perciformes, suborder Acanthuroidei.

Description

The body of the fish is medium-high, very compressed laterally. Seen from profile it resemblances an ellipse. The mouth is terminal, very small, with non-protrusive jaws. Body is olive green or brown above, silvery below; fish frequently with a dark patch below origin of lateral line. Adults become mottled when frightened. Slender, pungent, venomous spines. Preopercular angle 89°-95°. Lower half to 2/3 of cheeks commonly covered with weak, scattered scales. Midline of thorax between pelvic ridges. Differs from S. argenteus in details of coloration and less deeply forked tai. Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 7; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 13.

Distribution

Western Pacific: southern Korea, southern Japan, Ogasawara Islands, Taiwan, southern China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Andaman Islands, Indonesia, Philippines, Yap, Palau, Pohnpei (Caroline Islands), Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Australia. Often misidentified as Siganus canaliculatus.

Habitat

Inhabits algal and seagrass flats and shallow lagoon and coastal reefs. Forms schools. Mainly diurnal. Juveniles feed on filamentous algae, adults feed on leafy algae and seagrasses.