Siganids: Their biology and mariculture potential

Siganids (rabbitfishes), which are widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific, have recently attracted the attention of mariculturists in the Pacific and Israel. Research into siganid mariculture has been initiated in several countries. This paper lists the reasons behind the interest in siganid mariculture, and reviews: (1) what is currently known about the biology of siganids considered under (a) species identification, (b) fisheries, (c) ecology, (d) reproduction and early development and (e) behaviour; (2) problems requiring solutions before large-scale siganid mariculture can be realized; and (3) progress made to date in each area.