Siganus vulpinus

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Facts
Latin name Siganus vulpinus - (Schlegel & Müller, 1845)
Local name Foxface
Family Siganidae - Siganus
Origin Australia, East Pacific
Max length 20 cm (7.9")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 700 l (185 gal)
Hardiness Hardy
Suitable for aquarium Suitable with care
Reef safe Often reef safe
Aggressiveness Mostly peaceful but might be aggressive towards similar species
Feed
Recommended Macroalgea (Eg. seaweed / nori)
Microalgea (Eg. spirulina)
Mostly Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)
Maybee Large polyp stone coral (LPS)
Soft coral
Beware of
Highly venomous

This species is highly venomous and this venom can, under certain circumstances, be fatal.

In case of poisoning, it is vital to have as much information as possible regarding the species/poison. Have telephone number for the poison hotline close to the aquarium.
Since people can have different reactions to poisons, take precautions necessary to ensure your safety and that of your surroundings.

Keep in mind
Reef safe, when well fed

This species can be found nibbling soft coral and LPS if there is insufficient food available.

Well established aquarium with algae

These fish should be kept in a well run aquarium where they can "graze" algae from rocks and stones.

If there are insufficient algae on the rocks, it is important to feed more frequently and supplement with algae rich food e.g. Spirulina. 

Requires plenty of space for swimming.

This species revels in swimming and requires an aquarium with ample space.

Changes colour when frightened

This species changes colour when afraid.

Typically, they become pale or brownish.

Effective algae-eaters

This species can eat large amounts of algae (relative to their size) from rocks, like green hair algae and filamentous algae.

As it doesn’t eat every algae type, in case of a specific algae plague, find out more precise information.

Algae Eaters

Even though these fish enjoy a diverse type of frozen foods, it is imperative that its primary food, is algae based, thus ensuring that the fish`s immune system remains healthy.

This can, for example, be plant based fish flakes, Nori seaweed or similar.

Descriptions and further reading
Family description (Siganidae)

Rabbit fish (siganidae) are known for being effective algae eaters.
These fish are often used to fight bubble algae, which can otherwise be hard to remove.

It can be challenging to keep them well fed, if there is not sufficient algae in the aquarium.

They all have toxic spines on their backs, therefore be cautious, although they will mostly swim away and hide, when your hands are in the aquarium. If these fish feel threatened they will hide next to a rock and change colour and pattern. They can appear "ill", but this is their natural camouflage

These fish are not suitable for small aquaria, as they can end up swimming around in the same circle all day long.

FishBase
Aquarium trade Yes
Distribution Western Pacific: western Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, Great Barrier Reef, Vanuatu (sighting), New Caledonia, Caroline Islands, Marshall Islands, Nauru (sighting) and Kiribati (sighting). Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797).
German common names Dachsgesicht
English common names Foxface
French common names Picot renard
Danish common names Rævehoved
References and further reading

About references

James W. Fatherree. 2013. Aquarium Fish: Fishes of the Genus Siganus: The Rabbitfishes - Advanced Aquarist - (English)
Jeff Kurtz. 2007. A Warren of Righteous Rabbitfishes - Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine - (English)
Bob Fenner. The Fishes We Call Rabbits, Family Siganidae - Wet Web Media - (English)