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Maze rabbitfish (Siganus vermiculatus) — Siganidae

Maze rabbitfish

Siganus vermiculatus
Family: Siganidae
LC · Least Concern

The Maze rabbitfish (Siganus vermiculatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Siganidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The vermiculate rabbitfish is a rabbitfish (Siganidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an oval body with a pattern of winding, worm-like pale lines and a small, rabbit-like mouth. Juveniles live among mangroves and move to lagoon and coastal reefs as they grow; it forms schools. As a plant-eating fish it grazes algae and seaweed. The dorsal, pelvic and anal fin spines are venomous; a sting is very painful.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Maze rabbitfish?

The Maze rabbitfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Maze rabbitfish live?

The Maze rabbitfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Maze rabbitfish get?

The Maze rabbitfish grows to a maximum of about 45 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Maze rabbitfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Maze rabbitfish edible?

Yes, the Maze rabbitfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Wormlijn-konijnvis sourced
English name
Maze rabbitfish verified
Scientific name
Siganus vermiculatus
Family
Siganidae
Other names
Maze rabbitfish; Maze rabbit-fish; Rabbitfish; Scribbled spinefoot; Spinefoot verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

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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