Foxface Rabbitfish: A Fish from the Family Siganidae

As if you haven't found that last fish that is reef safe and docile in nature to compliment your fish population by now, here is the fish for you. Hailing from the Western pacific, the Foxface Rabbitfish attains a nice size, of around 9 inches or so so a tank of 100 gallons should suffice, to house one comfortably. Because they require ample swimming space, the population of fish and amount of live rock and coral should be taken into consideration. It is beneficial, as well, to offer the Foxface some live rock forming caves and crevices for it to hide and retreat for the night to help alleviate the stress that can become apparent from too many fish and boisterous fish in particular. I tell you, if you are looking for the one fish that makes perfect sense in terms of the key variables that we, as "conscientious aquarists" would love to see in a fish, the Foxface is it. It isn't finicky at feeding time, is very disease resistant, colorful, docile, keeps reef tanks clean by consuming nuisance micro algae, undemanding and is reef safe.

Siganus Vulpinus, or Foxface gets its name from the structural design of its face. Yes, it has a strange resemblance to that of a rabbit. This fish is also as fast as a rabbit thus the reason for a larger tank. The Foxface has an elongated body with the back 2/3 of its body displaying a vibrant golden yellow with intermittent black and white bars covering the head region. AQUARISTS, BE VARY of the VENOMOUS spines located in the dorsal and anal fin regions! these can inflict a painful sting and also cause infection or other complications as well. In case of accidental envenomation, soak the inflicted area in hot water, as hot as you can take, and then seek medical attention. It also makes alot of sense to write down the name of the fish, in case you happen to loose conscienceness, therefore medical professionals can take the proper precautions and treat the problem. The same holds true to any venomous animal, such as Lionfish, Stonefish, or snake for those of you that keep Rattlesnakes or equivalent.

Foxface Rabbitfish will eat anything that you put in front of its face. Frozen, flake, live or liquid foods will suffice and bring out the feeding frenzy in them. A varied diet is essential in offering them the nutritional benefits that any fish would need for their long term success. Vegetable and meaty fare will also help to keep their color as the vibrant as the day you bought it.

These fish will do best in a tank housing docile fish with the same temperament as it. Reef fish such as Gobies, Blennies, Cardinalfish, Basslets, Flasher and Fairy Wrasses are ideal tank mates for a Foxface. If a Foxface is placed in a tank with more aggressive fish, chances are the Foxface will get stressed out, remain hiding for an extended period of time, decline feeding, lose its beautiful coloration, eventually leading to its demise. Vary rarely is a Foxface the aggressor, but almost always is the victim. I wouldn't place a Foxface with any of the Zebrasoma Tangs either, especially Yellow, Purple and Scopas Tangs as the very aggressive nature displayed by these fish will be greatly enhanced.

The price of these gorgeous fish has come down dramatically which in and of itself is reason enough to purchase a Foxface. Throw in the fact that they are colorful rivaling the Yellow Tang, undemanding and reef safe, it makes perfect sense to add one of these to your marine aquarium.