Streamlined spinefoot

The streamlined spinefoot (Siganus argenteus), also known as the forktail rabbitfish, schooling rabbitfish or silver spinefoot, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a rabbitfish belonging to the family Siganidae. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region.

The streamlined spinefoot (Siganus argenteus), also known as the forktail rabbitfish, schooling rabbitfish or silver spinefoot, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a rabbitfish belonging to the family Siganidae. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region. ==Description== The streamlined spinefoot has a body which is oval, compressed, slender and fusiform, the body has a standard length which is 2.4 to 3 times its depth. The small head does not have a steep dorsal profile byt has a pointed snout. The front nostril has a flap which extends past the rear nostril. There is a procumbent spine at the front of the dorsal fin which is enclosed in the skin of the nape. The dorsal fin contains 13 spines and 10 soft rays while the anal fin has 7 spines and 9 soft rays. The caudal fin has a deep fork. This species attains a maximum total length of , although is more typical. The colours of this species are that blue on the upper body with a silvery lower body. They frequently have variable markings, spots and curved lines, particularly on the lower flanks. The eye has a silvery-yellow iris. The axil of pectoral fin is yellow and there is normally a yellow stripe along the base of the dorsal fin. There is also a dark brown bar on the upper edge of the operculum. This fish changes colour when alarmed or asleep to pale and dark brown mottling, with dark areas forming 7 diagonal zones across the flanks and the fins becoming mottled. ==Fisheries== Streamlined spinefoot are frequently recorded in markets in parts of their range, both as juveniles and adults. The pre-juveniles are taken as they migrate to reef flat areas in a brief but important part of local fisheries, e.g. in Guam. They are consumed fresh, pickled in brine, or made into fish paste. == References== ==External links==

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