Foxface Rabbitfish
Siganus vulpinus
Also known as Foxface, Fox Face Lo, Common Foxface
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 9.4 in (24 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 75 gal (285 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Origin
- Western Pacific, from Indonesia and the Philippines east through Micronesia and around the Great Barrier Reef
- Family
- Siganidae
Overview
A hardy, mostly herbivorous grazer that spends its day picking filamentous algae off rock and makes an excellent natural algae control. Feed it plenty of greens such as nori along with algae-based prepared foods. It is peaceful toward other species but squabbles with its own kind, so keep one per tank unless the system is very large. Reef keepers rate it caution: it usually ignores corals but can nip soft corals, zoanthids, and LPS polyps, especially if it is underfed, so keep it well supplied with greens. Handle with care because the spines are venomous.
In the wild
Found on coral-rich lagoon and outer reefs, usually as juveniles among branching corals and as adults ranging more widely over the reef grazing algae. It works hard surfaces and rubble for filamentous algae throughout the day and shelters in the reef structure at night. A tank version needs a large system with open swimming room plus rock it can graze and hide in.
Good to know
Siganus vulpinus is a rabbitfish in the family Siganidae, reaching about 24 cm. Its dorsal, pelvic, and anal spines carry venom glands and can deliver a painful sting, a defensive weapon it deploys when threatened. When stressed or sleeping it can shift from bright yellow to a mottled brown camouflage pattern within seconds and revert just as fast.
Did you know
When it feels threatened or settles down for the night it flips almost instantly from bright yellow into a blotchy brown pattern, then switches back to full color once it relaxes.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Saltwaterfish.com Marine fish, corals and inverts shipped overnight
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Foxface Rabbitfish?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Bicolor Foxface
Siganus uspi9.4 in (24 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Barred Rabbitfish
Siganus doliatus9.8 in (25 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Magnificent Foxface
Siganus magnificus9.1 in (23 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
One-Spot Foxface
Siganus unimaculatus7.9 in (20 cm)70 gal (265 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Two-barred Rabbitfish
Siganus virgatus11.8 in (30 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Lamarck's Angelfish
Genicanthus lamarck9.8 in (25 cm)124 gal (470 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)