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(siganus vulpinas, lo vulpinus)
Saltwater
Native to the shallow, weed filled waters of the Western Pacific Ocean, including the Great Barrier Reef, this fish is popular with aquarists. It has an elongated, "fox-like," snout which it uses to graze on naturally occurring algae. This is a yellow fish with white and black bands on its head and a black stripe covering its eyes, which are set up high on the head. The dorsal spines are venomous, making this a fish one should handle with care. It is also known as a Foxface Lo, but should not be confused with its "cousin," the Fiji Foxface Rabbitfish (siganus uspi).
Size: sm. 2"-2 1/2"; med. 3"-4"; lg. 4"-5" can get up to 7" (9" in the wild)
No. in Tank: one
Tank: min. 50 gallons
Temperament: Peaceful - except to its own kind.
Food: (Herbivore) Feed this fish vegetable matter frequently each day. Items to include are Spirulina, algae, herbivore preparations and dried algae sheets.
Light: High
Adaptation: This fish will get anxious when first introduced, making acclimation longer than expected. To help, the aquarium should have lots of algae, hiding places and open room to swim. Also important is to make sure the tank is in a quiet area without a lot of traffic, which might exacerbate its nervousness and make acclimation much more difficult.
Compatibility: Ideal for a reef system as long as it is feed frequently. If not, this fish will graze on soft corals and LPS and may also nip on hard corals. Invertebrates are ignored. Does best with more aggressive and larger fish that have respect for the venomous dorsals. As juveniles, this fish tolerates its own, but as an adult, they quarrel with each other, usually over territories.
**RARE
**VENOMOUS DORSAL SPINES
A sting can cause severe pain. If allergic, severe reactions may occur. If stung, soak the area in soapy water (helps clean out bacteria), and seek medical attention promptly.
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