One-Spot Foxface

Care at a glance

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.

Related species

• 

  Magnificent Foxface

  Siganus magnificus

  9.1 in (23 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Bicolor Foxface

  Siganus uspi

  9.4 in (24 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Foxface Rabbitfish

  Siganus vulpinus

  9.4 in (24 cm)75 gal (285 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Barred Rabbitfish

  Siganus doliatus

  9.8 in (25 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Two-barred Rabbitfish

  Siganus virgatus

  11.8 in (30 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Copperband Butterflyfish

  Chelmon rostratus

  7.9 in (20 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)