[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – Directory of Marine Fish – Rabbitfish

Directory of Marine Fish

Rabbitfish

The name of these fish derives partly from the rabbitlike way in which they browse on marine algae and also partly from their harelike upper lip. They are related to tangs and surgeonfish and need similar care. There is much debate over the relationships between the species in this group. Sexing is not usually possible, although females are often larger than males.

Magnificent Foxface (Lo magnificus)

• ORIGINS Restricted to northern and western parts of the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa.
• SIZE 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET Plant matter and small live foods.
• WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT Do not mix with other foxfaces.

A single broad, black band running down each side of the face distinguishes the Magnificent Foxface. The “saddle” region on the upper back is invariably dark, while the underparts are usually whiter, and yellow is often evident on the fins. The Magnificent Foxface may feed on organpipe corals as well as algae if housed in a reef aquarium.

Double-Barred Spinefoot (Siganus virgatus)

• ORIGINS: Extends from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef northward to Indonesia and the Philippines.
• SIZE: 12 in (30 cm).
• DIET: Plant matter and small live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Usually placid.

The color of the Double-Barred Spinefoot is much brighter during the day, when the fish bears some resemblance to the Foxface. It displays yellow coloration along the upper back, extending to the caudal fin, and black bars across the head. These spinefoots are also able to change their color to merge in with their background. Like other rabbitfish, they can be weaned easily onto artificial diets.

Foxface (Siganus vulpinus)

• ORIGINS: Extends from the eastern coast of southeast Asia north to Japan and across the Pacific.
• SIZE: 10 in (25 cm).
• DIET: Plant matter and small live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Intolerant of its own kind.

The Foxface has a prominent black band running through the eyes to the jaws, with a white area beneath, plus black edging extending down from the gill covers. Foxfaces vary so much throughout their wide range that different populations are sometimes regarded as separate species. These fish need to be handled with particular care, because it is very easy to catch your hands on the dorsal fin’s defensive spines, which can inflict painful wounds.

One-Spot Foxface (Siganus unimaculatus)

• ORIGINS: Restricted to the northwestern Pacific, specifically between Japan and the Philippines.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Plant matter and small live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Intolerant of its own kind.

The One-Spot is very similar in appearance to the Foxface, showing the same characteristic blackand-white facial coloration and yellow body. What sets this fish apart, however, is the black spot just below the dorsal fin. The One-Spot and the Foxface are sometimes regarded as different forms of the same species, with different areas of distribution. Their mutual intolerance means that these two fish should never be housed together.

[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – David Alderton (Photo by Max Gibbs)