TankBud

Barred rabbitfish

Siganus doliatus

Also known as Scribbled Rabbitfish, Barred Spinefoot, Blue-lined Rabbitfish, Pencilled Rabbitfish

SaltwaterFish

Barred rabbitfish (Siganus doliatus)
Leonard Low from Australia · CC BY 2.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
9.8 in
25 cm
Minimum tank
106 gal
400 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Herbivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Family
Siganidae
Origin
Western Pacific from Indonesia to the Great Barrier Reef and Micronesia, on lagoon and outer reefs.

Overview

The barred rabbitfish is a hardy, peaceful algae grazer for a large saltwater tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The barred rabbitfish raises its venomous fin spines when threatened. Most predators, and careful aquarists, leave it well alone.

Caring for the barred rabbitfish

Give the barred rabbitfish a tank of at least 106 gal (400 L), with open swimming room and algae-covered rock. Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C), with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.

It is an efficient herbivore that helps control filamentous and turf algae, and adults are strong, active algae eaters. Feed plenty of nori, spirulina and marine algae several times a day, plus some prepared foods.

It is generally coral-safe, but a hungry fish can nip soft corals such as Xenia. Keep it well fed, and treat it as reef safe with caution. It is a peaceful, solitary fish and safe with community tank mates. Handle it carefully, since its fin spines are venomous.

Good to know

Siganus doliatus, like all rabbitfish, carries venomous spines in its dorsal, anal and pelvic fins. A jab produces a painful sting, similar to a bee sting. The fish is blue-lined and yellow-backed, and it is marked with dark bars.

In the wild

The barred rabbitfish lives on lagoon and outer reefs in the western Pacific, from Indonesia to the Great Barrier Reef and Micronesia. It is often seen in pairs, and it spends the day eating algae off the rock.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The barred rabbitfish is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a barred rabbitfish need?

A barred rabbitfish needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a barred rabbitfish need?

A barred rabbitfish is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a barred rabbitfish eat?

A barred rabbitfish is an efficient herbivore. Feed it plenty of nori, spirulina and marine algae several times a day, plus some prepared foods.

How big does a barred rabbitfish get?

An adult barred rabbitfish reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).

Related species