Foxface
The Foxface (Siganus vulpinus), also known as the Foxface Rabbitfish, is a hardy and highly useful marine fish known for its striking yellow colouration, contrasting black and white face, peaceful nature and excellent algae-grazing ability.
Foxface are fantastic additions to larger marine and reef aquariums, spending much of the day browsing rockwork for algae. Their combination of bold colour, active behaviour and practical algae control has made them one of the most popular rabbitfish kept in saltwater aquariums.
Current Stock – Small Size
The Foxface we currently have available are small-sized specimens.
These smaller fish are a great option for customers wanting to watch their Foxface grow and settle into the aquarium from a young size. However, Foxface grow considerably larger, so their adult aquarium requirements should still be considered before purchasing.
Care Information
Scientific Name: Siganus vulpinus
Common Names: Foxface, Foxface Rabbitfish, Foxface Lo
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Herbivore / Omnivore
Minimum Aquarium Size: Approximately 475L / 125 gallons
Reef Compatibility: Generally reef safe with caution
Aquarium Care
Foxface are generally peaceful community fish and can be housed alongside a wide range of marine species. They can even coexist with more assertive fish thanks to their ability to defend themselves using their dorsal spines.
Aggression is most commonly seen towards other Foxface and rabbitfish, particularly in confined aquariums.
Provide plenty of:
- Open swimming space
- Established rockwork
- Natural algae for grazing
- Strong filtration and oxygenation
- Hiding places where the fish can retreat when required
Foxface may temporarily change colour or develop darker mottling when stressed, frightened or resting.
Excellent Algae Grazer
One of the biggest reasons to keep a Foxface is its appetite for algae.
They naturally spend much of the day grazing and can help control various unwanted algae growing throughout the aquarium. Eastern Marine specifically notes that their diet includes fresh vegetable matter and undesirable algae.
Their diet should include plenty of vegetable-based marine foods such as:
- Dried nori and marine seaweed
- Spirulina-based flakes and pellets
- Quality herbivore marine foods
- Algae growing naturally on rockwork
- Frozen marine foods as part of a varied diet
Keeping the fish well fed with plenty of vegetable matter is particularly important in reef aquariums.
Important – Venomous Dorsal Spines
Foxface possess venomous dorsal spines that they can raise when frightened or threatened. These are an effective defence mechanism and mean the fish should always be handled carefully.
Avoid attempting to pick up or directly handle a Foxface, and take additional care when working around the fish inside the aquarium.
Hardy, colourful, peaceful and an excellent natural algae grazer, the Foxface is a brilliant addition to a suitably sized marine aquarium and can become one of the most useful fish in the system.
