Foxface rabbitfish
Siganus vulpinus
Also known as Foxface, Fox Face Lo, Common Foxface
SaltwaterFish
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
- Family
- Siganidae
- Origin
- Western Pacific, from Indonesia and the Philippines east through Micronesia and around the Great Barrier Reef
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.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Foxface 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.
Skunk cleaner shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Ring cowrie
Monetaria annulus
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Yellowtail tamarin wrasse
Anampses meleagrides
Saltwater8.7 in (22 cm) · 90 gal (340 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Purple queen anthias
Pseudanthias tuka
Saltwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 75 gal (285 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Fire shrimp
Lysmata debelius
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Tiger / strawberry conch
Conomurex luhuanus
Saltwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Foxface rabbitfish need?
A Foxface rabbitfish needs at least 75 gal (285 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Foxface rabbitfish need?
A Foxface rabbitfish is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Foxface rabbitfish get?
An adult Foxface rabbitfish reaches about 9.4 in (24 cm).
Related species
9.4 in (24 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Bicolor foxface
Siganus uspi
9.4 in (24 cm) · 124 gal (470 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Barred rabbitfish
Siganus doliatus
9.8 in (25 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
9.1 in (23 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Magnificent foxface
Siganus magnificus
9.1 in (23 cm) · 124 gal (470 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)70 gal (265 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)One-spot foxface
Siganus unimaculatus
7.9 in (20 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Two-barred rabbitfish
Siganus virgatus
11.8 in (30 cm) · 119 gal (450 L)
15.7 in (40 cm)120 gal (454 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Dusky rabbitfish
Siganus fuscescens
15.7 in (40 cm) · 120 gal (454 L)