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Siganus uspi Gawel & Woodland, 1974 Bicolored foxface |
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photo by
Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda |
| Family: | Siganidae (Rabbitfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 24 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine | |||
| Distribution: | Western Pacific: endemic to Fiji, with strays recorded from New Caledonia. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 7-7; Anal soft rays: 9-9; Vertebrae: 23-23. Color dark purplish brown except pectoral fins, soft portions of dorsal and anal fins, caudal fin, and posterior part of body; demarcation of 2 colors is sharp. Preopercular angle 110°-114°; strong overlapping scales cover cheeks, 9-10 rows deep below center of orbit; midline of thorax fully scaled. Spines stout, pungent and venomous. Snout slightly shorter and less tubular, less concave above the nostrils. Caudal fin slightly incised. | |||
| Biology: | Found among hard corals at the faces of drop-offs at reef edges or in deep pools inside reef crests. Juveniles form schools, adults occur in pairs. Feeds on seaweeds (Ref. 9813). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 12 March 2015 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | venomous | |||