Swimming in the shallow coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the black rabbitfish is a cosmopolitan marine animal that lives off the coasts of Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, the Solomon Islands, Palau, and many other Pacific nations. The fish spends its days prowling coral reefs and seagrass beds for algae and its nights sleeping disguised among the coral and grasses.
A fairly small and unassuming-looking animal, the black rabbitfish might not be as eye-catching as some of its more colorful relatives that populate aquariums around the world. But it has more going for it than first meets the eye. Here are three interesting facts you might not have known about this fascinating animal.
1. Black Rabbitfish Bear Some Resemblances to Land Rabbits
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Known scientifically as Siganus fuscensens, black rabbitfish got their common name because of some of their physical and behavioral similarities to rabbits. Their large eyes, small mouths, sloping foreheads, and snouts shaped like rabbit noses do make them look somewhat like aquatic bunnies. Unlike rabbits, though, they have greenish-gray, brown, and silver bodies marked with many small light blue spots. When asleep or threatened, adults of the species develop mottled patterning on their skin to better hide from predators.
Like rabbits, these aquatic animals are also herbivores, feeding mainly on filamentous algae, leafy algae, and seagrasses that live and grow in shallow coral and rocky reefs, lagoons and estuaries, and even manmade structures like boardwalks and pontoons. By eating different types of algae, they protect coral from being smothered by overgrown algae and help preserve the health, biodiversity, and resilience of coral reefs.
2. They Pack A Very Painful Sting In Their Spines
Though somewhat small, measuring between 9.8 inches (25 centimeters) to 16 inches (40 centimeters) at full size, these fish have a defense mechanism that can make larger predators or humans regret going after them. Their bodies feature 13 sharp spines on their dorsal fins and 7 spines on their anal fins that contain powerful venom.
Anglers who have unintentionally brushed against those spines have described experiencing excruciating pain that’s lasted for several hours to a day. Though the venom isn’t as lethal or toxic to humans as the kind found in stonefishes and scorpionfishes, the experience is still extremely unpleasant. Australian fishers have given these experiences a suitably ironic nickname: “happy moments.”
The antidote for happy moments sounds almost as unpleasant as the stings themselves. Since the proteins and enzymes in the venom start breaking down in temperatures of 104 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit (40 to 50 degrees Celsius), victims should stick the affected parts of their bodies in water as hot as they can tolerate for 30 to 60 minutes or until the pain subsides. They should also seek immediate medical attention to stave off the risks of a secondary infection or severe allergic reaction.
3. They Are Popular As Seafood In Australia And Eastern Asia
Given what you just read about their painful sting, you might be wondering why anyone would try to catch, let alone eat, these marine animals. Though touching their spines can be incredibly painful, professional fishers and fish handlers, preparers, and retailers are often skilled enough to handle the animals in a way that prevents them from getting spiked with venom.
Commercial fisheries in eastern Asia and Australia regularly catch black rabbitfish in nets and fish traps, and retailers often sell large quantities of fresh adult and dried juvenile rabbitfish to their customers. The animals’ white flesh is considered quite delicious and is a great natural source of nutritional lipids for the people who eat them. Since females may spawn more than once a year and can produce up to 300,000 eggs when they do, rabbitfish are also more resilient against population reduction caused by commercial fishing than other species in the areas they inhabit.
Final Thoughts
Black rabbitfish play interesting, important roles in natural and human environments. They help keep coral reefs healthier by chomping up excess algae. They defend themselves against predators by changing colors and injecting venom whenever something brushes against their spines. They’re a well-regarded dish in eastern Asian and Australian cuisines. We can all better appreciate the diversity and wonder of the world’s oceans whenever we take a deep dive into one of its incredible animal species like the black rabbitfish.
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