Golden-lined spinefoot
Siganus lineatus
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Golden-lined spinefoot
- Scientific
- Siganus lineatus
- Dhivehi
- ތައްމަސްThammas
- Group
- Reef fish
- Family
- Siganidae (rabbitfishes)
- Maximum size
- Up to about 43 cm (total length); commonly 25 cm (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives common to 25 cm: max. 43 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 25 m (usually 0 to 20 m)
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2015
Description
A deep-bodied rabbitfish, blue above and silvery below, with horizontal golden bronze lines along the side that break into spots near the fins and a large golden spot below the soft dorsal fin. It forms schools in shallow coralline areas and lagoons and scrapes algae from coral and rock. Its fin spines are venomous.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name thammas (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is particularly common in the south of the Maldives and not seen near Malé.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Siganus-lineatus.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ތައްމަސް
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Siganus_lineatus,_cardumen.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Thammas' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ތައްމަސް' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form.