Bluespotted Rabbitfish Identification Guide

Key identification features

• Bright orange-yellow body
• Densely covered in small, iridescent blue spots and fine lines, including across the head
• Blue-lined dorsal, anal, and tail fins matching the body pattern
• Elongated, oval body typical of rabbitfish
• Tall dorsal fin with venomous spines, paired with a spined anal fin
• Spot pattern is unique to each individual, much like a fingerprint

Common look-alikes

• Goldspotted rabbitfish: similarly spotted, but its base color is silvery-grey with gold (not blue) spots concentrated toward the rear of the body.
• Magnificent rabbitfish: also brightly colored, but marked by a solid dark head rather than an overall covering of small blue spots.

Where you'll see one

Found on Indo-Pacific coral reefs, usually alone or in pairs among branching corals in clear lagoon and outer reef waters. It favors areas with abundant coral cover for shelter and is generally shy, darting for cover among the branches whenever a diver or predator approaches, and is less often seen out in open sand or rubble areas.