Author: (Park, 1797)
FBname: White-spotted spinefoot
Comments: Adults inhabit inshore, algae reefs, estuaries and in large lagoons with algae-rubble habitats.  Mainly common on rocky substrates (Ref. 48637).  In contrast to <i>S. fuscescens</i>, this species seems to tolerate more turbid waters, occurring within the vicinity of river mouths especially around seagrass beds.  Adults also occur several kilometers offshore in deep, clear waters.  Juveniles form very large schools in shallow bays and coral reef flats; school size reduces with size, with adults occurring in groups of 20 individuals or so.  Herbivorous, feed on benthic algae and to some extent on seagrass.  Fished by trawling and seine netting; bycatch in traps set in deep water and marketed fresh in very large numbers (Ref. 9813).  Consumed as food; and have poisonous spines (Ref. 4537).