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Randall's rabbitfish (Siganus randalli) — Siganidae

Randall's rabbitfish

Siganus randalli
Family: Siganidae

The Randall's rabbitfish (Siganus randalli) is a saltwater fish of the family Siganidae that grows up to 34 cm.

Length
33.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–15.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Guam, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Randall's rabbitfish is a rabbitfish (Siganidae) from reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 28 cm and has a deep, oval, laterally compressed body with a small, rabbit-like mouth. The body bears a network of pale lines and spots. As a grazer it eats algae and seagrass on reefs and in lagoons. The spines in the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins are venomous and can give a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Randall's rabbitfish?

The Randall's rabbitfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

Where does the Randall's rabbitfish live?

The Randall's rabbitfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Solomon Is., Guam, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea

How big does the Randall's rabbitfish get?

The Randall's rabbitfish grows to a maximum of about 34 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Randall's rabbitfish dangerous to humans?

The Randall's rabbitfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. For a sting from a fin spine: rinse the wound, remove any visible spine fragments and immerse the part for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) to break down the venom. The pain can be severe. For marked swelling, a retained spine or signs of infection seek medical care and check tetanus status.

Is the Randall's rabbitfish edible?

The Randall's rabbitfish is rarely eaten.

More photos

Randall's rabbitfish (Siganus randalli) — Siganidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Dominique Fleurot, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Randall's rabbitfish (Siganus randalli) — Siganidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) nmi_fishguy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Randall's rabbitfish (Siganus randalli) — Siganidae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Randall's rabbitfish (Siganus randalli) — Siganidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) deblee5, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Randall's rabbitfish sourced
Scientific name
Siganus randalli
Family
Siganidae
Other names
Spinefoot; Variegated spinefoot verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.5 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Guam, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea 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
Rarely 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
For a sting from a fin spine: rinse the wound, remove any visible spine fragments and immerse the part for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) to break down the venom. The pain can be severe. For marked swelling, a retained spine or signs of infection seek medical care 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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