TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii 
Order: Perciformes
Family: Siganidae (Rabbitfishes and Spinefoots) 

Genus/species: Siganus puellus

 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Highly compressed body yellow with wavy, broken blue lines. Dark band from eyes to mouth. Dark dots extend from eyes to dorsal fin. Like all rabbitfishes, have small, rabbit-like mouths, large dark eyes, and a shy temperament, thus their common name.

Length up to 38 cm (15 inches)

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-West Pacific in shallow, coral-rich areas of lagoons
and seaward reefs to 30 m or 98 ft. Adults often in pairs; species forms large schools in shallows, lagoons and outer reef flats, particularly in areas dominated by luxurious growths of Acorpora coral.

DIET IN THE WILD: Juveniles feed on filamentous algae; adults on algae, tunicates, and sponges.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List Least Concern (LC)

REMARKS: Venomous spines, which can be flashed at any bothersome fish or hand.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine Coral Reef 2016 

fishbase  www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=4617

EOL eol.org/pages/203962/details

Australian Museum australianmuseum.net.au/masked-rabbitfish-siganus-puellus

IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/155025/0

Ron’s flickr  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608339530941/with/3246996616/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-Hh