One-spot foxface
Siganus unimaculatus
Also known as Blotched Foxface, One-Spot Rabbitfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 7.9 in
- 20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 70 gal
- 265 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Siganidae
- Origin
- Western Pacific reefs, including the Ryukyu Islands, the Philippines, and northwestern Australia
Overview
One-spot foxface are peaceful with nearly every tankmate and rarely bother other species. Like other foxface they turn territorial toward their own kind and other rabbitfish, so keep only one per tank unless the system is very large. They're reef safe and among the more reliable algae eaters for a reef tank, but they carry venomous spines in the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins that flare up when the fish feels threatened. A jab is painful and can cause swelling that lasts for hours, so handle this fish carefully with a container instead of bare hands, especially when netting or moving it.
In the wild
One-spot foxface live on reefs and rocky outcrops across the western Pacific, including the Ryukyu Islands, the Philippines, and the northwest shelf of Australia. In the wild they form long-term male-female pairs and graze algae together over the same patch of reef. A tank of at least 265 litres (70 US gal) with live rock and open swimming room works well, with more space always appreciated.
Good to know
Siganus unimaculatus takes its common name from the single dark blotch on each flank below the dorsal fin, the easiest way to tell it apart from the very similar-looking foxface rabbitfish (Siganus vulpinus), which the trade sometimes mixes up with it. Both share the yellow body and pointed, rabbit-like snout typical of the genus.
Did you know
A stressed or frightened one-spot foxface fades from its usual bright yellow to a blotchy, washed-out brown within seconds, then flushes back to full color once it calms down.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
One-spot foxface 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)
Fighting conch
Strombus alatus
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Gold-specs jawfish
Opistognathus randalli
Saltwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Dispar anthias
Pseudanthias dispar
Saltwater3.7 in (9.5 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Ring cowrie
Monetaria annulus
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Flametail blenny
Enchelyurus flavipes
Saltwater3 in (7.5 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a One-spot foxface need?
A One-spot foxface needs at least 70 gal (265 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a One-spot foxface need?
A One-spot foxface is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a One-spot foxface get?
An adult One-spot foxface reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).
Related species
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)
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)
9.4 in (24 cm)75 gal (285 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Foxface rabbitfish
Siganus vulpinus
9.4 in (24 cm) · 75 gal (285 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)
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)