Photo: Dr. Dwayne Meadows, NOAA/NMFS/OPR · Public domain
Foxface rabbitfish
Siganus vulpinus
The foxface rabbitfish is a reef fish with a bright yellow body and an elongated black-and-white masked face, armed with venomous spines.
Characteristics
Temperament
Diurnal, peaceful, easily startled
Diet
Herbivore: algae grazed from rocks and corals
Description
The foxface rabbitfish is a reef fish with an unmistakable look. Its body is intense, bright yellow, while the head bears a characteristic black-and-white mask pattern, with an elongated snout resembling that of a fox or badger. It has venomous dorsal and anal spines, an effective defence against predators.
Habitat and distribution
It lives on tropical coral reefs of the western Indo-Pacific, from the Philippines and Indonesia to the Great Barrier Reef and the Pacific islands. It frequents lagoons and coral-rich reefs, to about thirty metres deep, often in pairs.
Behaviour and diet
It is a diurnal, herbivorous fish that grazes algae from rocks and corals, playing a useful role in keeping the reef clean. It is generally peaceful and calm, but when frightened it can adopt a striking blotched pattern and raise its venomous spines.
Aquarium care
It is prized in marine aquariums for its bright colour and effectiveness at controlling algae. It needs a large tank, excellent water quality and a diet rich in greens. It must be handled with great care: the sting of its venomous spines is painful to humans.
Conservation
It is classed as least concern. Like all reef species, it depends on the health of the corals; collection for the aquarium trade should be managed sustainably.
Pros
- Bright yellow, highly decorative colour
- Excellent algae grazer on the reef
- Generally peaceful with other fish
Cons
- Venomous dorsal and anal spines
- Needs large tanks and quality water
- Stresses easily when disturbed
