Honeycomb Rabbitfish

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

Description

Background color of body is yellowish green with head and body covered with chocolate brown spots. Trailing edges of soft parts of dorsal and anal fins, perimeter of caudal fin and a saddle over the caudal peduncle are markedly paler than the rest. Silvery iris, tinted brown or green, with 10 equally spaced spots. Spines stout; pungent only in juveniles. Preopercular angle 92°-103°. Strong scales cover the cheeks. Usually midline of thorax fully scaled, but pelvic ridges sometimes without scales. Max length is 40 cm, common length is 35 cm. ## Distribution

Indian Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to the Andaman Sea.

Habitat

Common in coral reefs; juveniles enter weedy estuaries. Juveniles and subadults form schools, adults in pairs. Adults feed on benthic seaweeds. Anterolateral glandular grooves with venom gland.