Dusky Rabbitfish
Siganus fuscescens
Also known as Mottled Spinefoot, Black Rabbitfish, Happy Moments, Fuscous Rabbitfish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 15.7 in (40 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 120 gal (454 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Origin
- Western Pacific, Japan to Australia
- Family
- Siganidae
Overview
A peaceful, hard-working grazer that spends the day cropping filamentous and leafy algae, which makes it good natural algae control in a large system. Captive-bred fish accept pellets, frozen foods and nori readily, but a full-grown adult needs a long tank with real swimming room.
In the wild
Ranges across the western Pacific from southern Korea and Japan down to Australia, grazing algal flats, seagrass meadows and shallow lagoon and coastal reefs. It is usually met as a school working across the bottom rather than as a lone fish.
Good to know
Like all rabbitfish, its dorsal, pelvic and anal spines are backed by venom glands, and a puncture is painful, so slow hands around the tank and the net are wise. Adults can reach about 40 cm, though most settle in around the mid 20s.
Did you know
In Australia this species goes by the nickname happy moments, a dry reference to how it feels to grab one of its venomous spines by mistake.
Tank mates
Dusky Rabbitfish is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Leopard Wrasse
Macropharyngodon meleagrisSaltwater5.9 in (15 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Convict Tang
Acanthurus triostegusSaltwater10.6 in (27 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Schooling Bannerfish
Heniochus diphreutesSaltwater8.3 in (21 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Lamarck's Angelfish
Genicanthus lamarckSaltwater9.8 in (25 cm)124 gal (470 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Striped eel catfish
Plotosus lineatusSaltwater12.6 in (32 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Sailfin Tang
Zebrasoma veliferumSaltwater11.8 in (30 cm)145 gal (550 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Dusky Rabbitfish need?
A Dusky Rabbitfish needs at least 120 gal (454 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Dusky Rabbitfish need?
Dusky Rabbitfish are comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big do Dusky Rabbitfish get?
An adult Dusky Rabbitfish reaches about 15.7 in (40 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Saltwater fish · Beginner fish · Beginner saltwater fish · Monster fish
Keeping Dusky Rabbitfish?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
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See how Dusky Rabbitfish fits a stocking plan. Open the stocking calculator
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Related species
Goldline Rabbitfish
Siganus lineatusSaltwater16.9 in (43 cm)125 gal (473 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Two-barred Rabbitfish
Siganus virgatusSaltwater11.8 in (30 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Barred Rabbitfish
Siganus doliatusSaltwater9.8 in (25 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Bicolor Foxface
Siganus uspiSaltwater9.4 in (24 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Foxface Rabbitfish
Siganus vulpinusSaltwater9.4 in (24 cm)75 gal (285 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Magnificent Foxface
Siganus magnificusSaltwater9.1 in (23 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)