Foxface Rabbitfish
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| iFoxface 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 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.
[edit] Foods
The Foxface eats wild grasses, algae, and other plant life. In an aquarium, though the Foxface is usually considered "reef-safe", if hungry, it may nip at corals from time to time. In captivity, however, the Foxface can usually be coaxed into eating brine shrimp, a popular fish food, or lettuce.
[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.
