Adults inhabit shallow coral reef flats. Found in rivers (Ref. 12792, 48637). Occurs in small schools (usually less than 10 individuals). Juveniles gather in larger numbers in corals with algae-grown at their bases (Ref. 48637). Initially, they browse on fine textured, e.g. filamentous algae, switching to coarser algae with increasing size. Both adults and juveniles are diurnal feeders (Ref. 4666). Fry are marketed fresh, pickled in brine or made into fish paste (Ref. 9813). Can inflict painful stings (Ref. 4690).

Kenya, Mauritius

Indo-West Pacific: India, Sri Lanka, Andaman Islands, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, South China Sea, Philippines, Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, Mariana Islands, Minami Tori Shima [=Marcus Island], Palau, Yap, Truk, Pohnpei and Kosrae, Nauru, Kiribati, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Niue, Cook Islands, and Society Islands Replaced by Siganus luridus in the west Indian Ocean (Ref. 37816).

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Analspines: 7; Analsoft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 13

Maximum size: 280 mm NG

28.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710))

The species can adopt a number of camouflage patterns involving off-white, pale gray to blackish, and various shades of brown. The basic pattern consists of a labyrinth of narrow bands with upper half vermiculate, the lower ones tend to meander horizontally. This pattern extends to the fins. Iris golden dissected by a chocolate cross. 4-5 irregular off-white bars on caudal peduncle. Scales fine on cheeks, densely packed over lower 2/3 of preopercular region. Midline of thorax without scales between pelvic ridges. Fin spines stout, pungent, venomous. Preopercular angle 87-100 degrees.

Depth range based on 36 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 16 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0.2 - 31.7569
  Temperature range (°C): 25.282 - 29.264
  Nitrate (umol/L): 0.019 - 0.443
  Salinity (PPS): 34.116 - 35.376
  Oxygen (ml/l): 4.510 - 4.757
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.072 - 0.234
  Silicate (umol/l): 0.897 - 2.659

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0.2 - 31.7569

Temperature range (°C): 25.282 - 29.264

Nitrate (umol/L): 0.019 - 0.443

Salinity (PPS): 34.116 - 35.376

Oxygen (ml/l): 4.510 - 4.757

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.072 - 0.234

Silicate (umol/l): 0.897 - 2.659
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Depth: 20 - 50m.
From 20 to 50 meters.

Habitat: reef-associated.

reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 50 m (Ref. 28016), usually 1 - 20 m (Ref. 27115)

Postlarval & presumably the larval as well, are pelagic, live in dense schools away from the reefs in open water; presumed to feed on plankton. At an average size of 43 mm TL in spring, they perform highly synchronized mass migration onto the shoal areas of coral reefs. These small juveniles feed on finer textured algae (e.g. filamentous). As they mature, they ingest the coarser filamentous & fleshy algae, avoiding the blue-greens. Gross assimilation efficiency low; mean of 36% in juveniles, 16% in adults. This species is the smallest siganid; growth rate considerably low; hence, deemed not suitable for aquaculture.

Procamallanus Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Hexangium Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Hemiurus Infestation 1. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 2
Species: 7
Species With Barcodes: 1

Not Evaluated

fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial