Foxface rabbitfish
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| Siganus vulpinus Schlegel & Müller, 1845 |
The foxface rabbitfish (Siganus vulpinus), also known as the foxface or foxface Lo (as it is sometimes classified in the genus Lo) is a popular saltwater aquarium fish. It is of the family Siganidae.
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[edit] Appearance
The foxface is a bright yellow, medium-sized fish, usually attaining an average size of 9 inches in length. The head and front portion of its body is striped dark brown (or black) and white. They retain this bright coloring throughout the day, and during the night (or when stressed), like many other fishes, they have the ability to change into a dark brown color. This is most likely used as a camouflage against predators, and upon waking, their bright colors almost immediately return.
They have a long snout-like mouth that is used for feeding on algae and other vegetation, with the snout being particularly handy for reaching into crevices. Caution should be used with this fish. All of the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins have venomous spines. A wound from any of them can be, at the least, very painful.
[edit] Foods
The foxface is omnivorous but enjoys algae and other marine plant life. However, in an aquarium it is usually not considered a "reef-safe" fish. From time to time, if hungry, it may nip at corals (usually zooanthids and button polyps). Though not an obligate herbivore, the Foxface does require algae in its diet. In captivity it can usually be coaxed into eating a combination of mysis shrimp, sheets of dried seaweed and marine flake food containing algae.
[edit] Distribution and habitats
The foxface lives throughout the western Pacific, often inhabiting coral reefs.
[edit] References
- Siganus vulpinus (TSN 623226). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 11 March 2006.
- "Siganus vulpinus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 10 2005 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2005.
