Foxface Rabbitfish

ANIMAL:
Foxface Rabbitfish Siganus vulpinus

Type of Animal:
Rabbitfish/Spinefoot

Habitat:
Lagoons, reefs, rocky reef outcrops

Location(s):
W Pacific from 30 N-30 S Latitude

Appearance:
Yellow fish w/ white-black face markings & foxlike face, becomes duller & mottled at night or when stressed

Food/Diet:
Algae, zooplankton, seaweed, vegetable matter, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, Zoanthids, button polyps

Status in Wild:
Stable

Conservation:
Not applicable

Lifestyle:
Schools of 2-70 fish, mostly consisting of juveniles/subadults but often w/ adults as well, adults often seen in monogamous pairs

Additional Info:

Called:
Male
Female
Young: Fry
Group: School

Gestation:
1-2 days 

Life Span:
5 years

Body Length:
Adult: 6-10 in
Young: 2 in

Due to venomous spines, they’re rarely on the menu for larger fish.
 
Also called Foxface, Foxface Lo, Common Foxface, Yellow Foxface Rabbitfish, Black-Face Rabbitfish, Spinefeet (due to venomous spines on dorsal/anal/pelvic fins), & Badgerfish.
 
Can utilize camouflage as a survival strategy.
 
They play key role in controlling algae populations.
 
They’re pelagic spawners, meeting high in water column & dispersing eggs into currents.
 
Often use moon phases & tidal motions to coordinate breeding behavior.
 
These fish extremely difficult to breed in captivity.
 
Active during the day (diurnal).
 
Get rabbitfish name due to rabbit-like mouth.
 
These fish are rather shy.
 
Skin mucus/slime provides protection against parasites/infections & helps fish move through water faster.
 
Dorsal/ventral fins lend stability, tail fin helps fish propel through water, & pectoral fins are for locomotion & side-to-side movement.
 
Sometimes confused w/ closely related species.
 
They’re rather active fish.

Fun Fact(s):
Stings from venomous spines are painful & these fish should be handled w/ caution. However, these only used in defense.
 
Very popular in aquarium trade but not for beginner aquarists. Probably most common rabbitfish species in trade.
 
Occasionally used as food fish.