Siganids or rabbitfishes belong to the Family Siganidae with 17 species found in Philippine waters as reported by Dr. Albert Herre, foremost systematist on Philippine fishes. The adult forms of these fishes are called samaral in Tagalog, baliwis and bataway in Bicol, barangan and barangen in Ilocano and Pangasinan, and samaral, mandalaba. and danggit in Visayan. Their fry are called kuyog in Tagalog, padas in Ilocano and Pangasinan, danggit and kuyog in Bicol and Visayan.
This fish is available in commercial quantities in the principal fishing grounds of the Philippines with northwestern Sulu Sea as the major producer, followed by Samar Sea, Bohol Strait, San Miguel Bay, Davao Gulf, Southern Sulu Sea, Visayan Sea and Lingayen Gulf in the order of production.
The average siganid production for the last five years (1968-72) accounted for the additional 0.09% in commercial fisheries production. One percent (1%) of the catch of municipal fishermen from the coastal regions bordering the above-mentioned fishing grounds have consistently been composed of siganid species.
The area around Lingayen Gulf is noted for its siganid fishery. The siganid fry are used as fish paste for maximum protein yield. Converting siganid fry or “padas” into fish paste, although a very wasteful practice, eventually became one of the area s established industries.