Foxface Rabbitfish

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 9"
• Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons   • Water Conditions: 74-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Western Pacific
• Family: Siganidae   • Species: Foxface-Rabbit   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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The Foxface Rabbitfish (Siganus vulpinus) has been a popular fish species amongst reef aquarium hobbyists for a long time. Their coloration, unique shape and propensity for consuming algae and other marine vegetation make them both an attractive and beneficial addition to the reef aquarium.

In the wild they are found throughout the coral reefs and rocky reef outcrops that dot the western Pacific ocean. While generally considered a reef safe species, the Foxface Rabbitfish may nibble on zoanthids or coral polyps if not properly fed. Despite their relatively large size, they are active and graceful swimmers that do well swimming about crowded reef aquariums.

Hobbyists may still find this species sold under the now obsolete common name of Foxface Lo, which was based off of the previous categorization of the Foxface in the genus Lo. Foxface Rabbitfish make an excellent addition to a wide variety of aquariums including reef, FOWLR and semi-aggressive predator aquariums.

Their larger size allows them to be kept with many of the less aggressive predatory fish species, while their graceful swimming and algae consumption make them suitable for reef and mixed reef aquariums as well.

Keeping Foxface Rabbitfish in the home aquarium is relatively straight forward and not too difficult. Primarily they need an adequately sized aquarium approximately 4 feet in length and 70 gallons or more in volume. Foxface Rabbitfish are tolerant of less than perfect water parameters, but do need stable water temperature and chemistry.

Plenty of live rock within the aquarium is ideal as this will provide the Foxface Rabbitfish both with places to hide when threatened and with additional feeding opportunities. The relatively large size of the Foxface combined with their peaceful demeanor make them well suited to be housed with a wide variety of other fish species. They are generally too large for larger semi-aggressive fish to bother and due to their peaceful nature they will not bother smaller fish species.

Foxface Rabbitfish can also be kept with pretty much any coral, invertebrate or crustacean species found in the average reef or FOWLR aquarium. Hobbyists of any experience level should have no problems keeping this species provided their aquarium is large enough, they maintain reasonable water parameters and feed their fish quality fish foods.

Foxface Rabbitfish are omnivores that require both plant and animal based foods in their diet. However, they require a much higher proportion of plant matter, seaweed and algae in their diet compared to meaty food items. In the wild they will eat large quantities of marine plants like Caulerpa and other similar macro-algae. In the aquarium environment they are most often fed marine seaweed and frozen preparations designed for herbivores.

They will also consume meaty foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp and flake or frozen preparations designed for omnivores and herbivores. In addition to regular direct feedings, Foxface Rabbitfish should be provided with grazing opportunities via a vegetable clip containing seaweed, green leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce or via growth on live rock.

The Foxface Rabbitfish like all Rabbitfishes, has venomous spines on their dorsal, pectoral and anal fins. While not fatal to humans, their sting can be extremely painful. Most injuries to hobbyists occur when they attempt to handle the Rabbitfish without wearing gloves. Hobbyists should use plastic collection containers while wearing gloves if they need to catch or move Rabbitfish.