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Blackeye rabbitfish (Siganus puelloides) — Siganidae

Blackeye rabbitfish

Siganus puelloides
Family: Siganidae

The Blackeye rabbitfish (Siganus puelloides) is a saltwater fish of the family Siganidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The Blackeye rabbitfish is a rabbitfish (Siganidae) from reef water of the western Indian Ocean, including the Maldives. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a deep, oval, laterally compressed body with a small, rabbit-like mouth. The body is yellow-brown with fine spots and a dark eye stripe. As a grazer it eats algae and seagrass on reefs and in lagoons. The spines in the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins are venomous and can give a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackeye rabbitfish?

The Blackeye rabbitfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Blackeye rabbitfish live?

The Blackeye rabbitfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blackeye rabbitfish get?

The Blackeye rabbitfish grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Blackeye rabbitfish dangerous to humans?

The Blackeye rabbitfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartoog-konijnvis sourced
English name
Blackeye rabbitfish sourced
Scientific name
Siganus puelloides
Family
Siganidae
Other names
Blackeye rabbitfish; Black-eyed rabbitfish; Spinefoot verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Siganus

More from the family Siganidae

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