Foxface rabbitfish care

Quick reference

What is a foxface rabbitfish?

Siganus vulpinus lives in coral-rich lagoons and seaward reefs of the western Pacific, from the Philippines and Indonesia to the Great Barrier Reef and Micronesia, often among staghorn coral.^[3] Juveniles school among Acropora, grazing algae off dead coral bases, and adults live singly or in pairs;^[3] the Australian Museum says pairs form by about 10 cm long and are believed to last for life.^[4] Kurtz calls it rugged and well suited to beginners if it has the space and the diet.^[2]

Feeding

Mostly green: Kurtz recommends dried marine algae sheets, frozen herbivore formulas and spirulina flakes or pellets, with occasional mysis, and suggests soaking dry foods in a vitamin and HUFA supplement.^[2] LiveAquaria says it eats undesirable algae as well as fresh vegetables,^[1] and Kurtz says it rivals tangs at algae control.^[2] Keeping it full is also how you protect your corals.^[1]

Aggression and spacing

LiveAquaria calls it very peaceful except toward other rabbitfish, and Kurtz says conspecifics squabble, so keep only one.^{[1, 2]} Other fish usually leave it alone; its spines are mainly defensive.^[2] When stressed it quickly turns blotchy and mottled.^[2]

Tankmates

LiveAquaria lists it reef compatible "with caution": it does nip and possibly eat some soft and hard coral polyps, and rabbitfish that aren't well fed may eat LPS and soft corals.^[1] Kurtz agrees it isn't a major coral threat but may nibble fleshy polyps.^[2] It's a reasonable risk with SPS and a worse one with LPS and softies.

Disease and quarantine

We found no disease information specific to the foxface rabbitfish. General marine fish guidance applies: CORAL Magazine recommends quarantining every incoming fish, captive-bred included, for at least 2–4 weeks, and UF/IFAS advises 3–6 weeks at 24–27 °C, longer when ich is suspected.^{[5, 6]}

Safety

Troubleshooting

Common mistakes

• •Buying it for a 55 or 75 gallon tank.^[2]
• •Underfeeding it in a reef with LPS and soft corals.^[1]
• •Handling it bare-handed.^{[4, 2]}
• •Adding a second rabbitfish.^{[1, 2]}

Equipment & food for this species

Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, reefcalcs earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Frozen mysis is a good staple and quality pellets cover daily feeding. Many keepers soak food in a vitamin supplement such as Selcon.

Foxface rabbitfish FAQ

Is a foxface poisonous?

It's venomous: its dorsal, pelvic and anal spines have venom glands and a sting can be very painful.^{[4, 3]} Seek medical attention if stung.^[2]

Is a foxface reef safe?

With caution. LiveAquaria says it may nip soft and hard coral polyps, especially when underfed.^[1]

What size tank does a foxface need?

LiveAquaria says 125 gallons; Reef Builders says 75 suits only small specimens.^{[1, 2]}

Does a foxface eat bubble algae?

Hobbyists report it does, but not reliably; we found no controlled study. LiveAquaria says it eats undesirable algae generally.^[1]

Why does my foxface turn dark and blotchy?

Stress: Kurtz says it can quickly take on a mottled look.^[2]

Can you keep two foxface together?

Not usually in home tanks; conspecifics squabble.^{[2, 1]}