Campaign
Scientific name
English name
Local name
Ecology
Characteristics
Biology
Cortes
Siganus canaliculatus
White-spotted rabbit fish
Bangkawon
Turbid inshore areas and inner reefs particularly in weedy or seagrass areas
and river mouths
Deep bodied compressed fishes with venomous fin spines, a small terminal
mouth with small close-set incisiform teeth, complete lateral line and minute
scales
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; oceanodromous
Diurnal herbivores that feed on benthic algae.
Occur in schools, or in pairs.
Maximum size: 29 cm.
Inhabit inshore, algae reefs, estuaries and in large lagoons with algae-rubble
habitats. Mainly common on rocky substrates. In contrast to S. fuscescens, this
species seems to tolerate more turbid waters, occurring within the vicinity of
river mouths especially around seagrass beds. Adults also occur several
kilometers offshore in deep, clear waters. Juveniles form very large schools in
shallow bays and coral reef flats; school size reduces with size, with adults
occurring in groups of 20 individuals or so. Herbivorous, feed on benthic algae
and to some extent on seagrass. Consumed as food; and have poisonous
spines.