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Onespot foxface (Siganus unimaculatus) — Siganidae

Onespot foxface

Siganus unimaculatus
Family: Siganidae

The Onespot foxface (Siganus unimaculatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Siganidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–30.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Asia: Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Philippines, Ogasawara Is.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The onespot foxface is a rabbitfish (Siganidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, bright-yellow body with a black-and-white head and a large black blotch on the flank. The dorsal, pelvic and anal spines are linked to venom glands and a sting is painful. As a reef-dweller it grazes weed and algae from coral and rocky reefs. Handle with care; otherwise it is not aggressive.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Onespot foxface?

The Onespot foxface has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

Where does the Onespot foxface live?

The Onespot foxface lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Philippines, Ogasawara Is.

How big does the Onespot foxface get?

The Onespot foxface grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Onespot foxface dangerous to humans?

The Onespot foxface is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. Do not touch or pick up; the fin spines carry venom. For a sting: immerse the wound in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C, not scalding) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom. For severe pain, swelling or breathing difficulty seek medical help and check tetanus status.

Is the Onespot foxface edible?

Yes, the Onespot foxface is commonly eaten.

More photos

Onespot foxface (Siganus unimaculatus) — Siganidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Onespot foxface (Siganus unimaculatus) — Siganidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Onespot foxface (Siganus unimaculatus) — Siganidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Cliff from I now live in Arlington, VA (Outside Washington DC), USA (CC BY 2.0)
Onespot foxface (Siganus unimaculatus) — Siganidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Rept0n1x (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Onespot foxface sourced
Scientific name
Siganus unimaculatus
Family
Siganidae
Other names
Black-blotch fox-face; Blotched foxface; Foxface rabbitfish; Blackblotch foxface verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Philippines, Ogasawara Is. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, seaweeds and plant material inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified
First aid
Do not touch or pick up; the fin spines carry venom. For a sting: immerse the wound in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C, not scalding) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom. For severe pain, swelling or breathing difficulty seek medical help and check tetanus status. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Siganus

More from the family Siganidae

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