A few weeks ago, I had my LFS order me a one-spot foxface for my 90 gallon reef tank. I had done some reading and had found it to be pretty much the only rabbitfish I could fit in my tank. However, when the fish arrived, after a few minutes of looking (he was in a bag that was black on the bottom so it was hard to see) I noticed he didn't have a spot. The bag was also simply labeled "Foxface." I was worried about getting a different fish that wouldn't be suitable for my tank, but the employee I talked to (who has always been knowledgeable and helpful in the past) told me it was simply a regional coloration difference and this was the exact same type of fish. I took the 3-4inch fish home and acclimated him and after a few extremely timid days he is now my absolute favorite fish ever. I was worried about how scared he was at first but now he will eat seaweed from my hand while I'm trying to get it on the clip. However, I have been doing a little more research and have found that the LFS employee was (as far as I can tell) completely wrong. I now own a regular Foxface, or Foxface Lo. The problem is that this fish gets several inches larger than the one-spot and requires a much larger tank. Is this really the case? Could I be misidentifying the fish or could the LFS guy have been right? How long will it take him to get to a size where my tank size will become a problem? If the answer is years, then I might be okay, since I will be moving across country either next year (if I'm moved to another post) or in 2.5 years (getting out entirely) and my plan was to get rid of everything alive and restock wherever I end up. I appreciate any advice you guys could give.
Foxface in a 90 gallon
- Thread starter arnoldrew
- Start date
rssjsb
New member
No, you're probably right. Even the best LFS employees are sometimes wrong. Others run the gamut. You're much better off trusting your own research.
I don't know that the distinction between a one-spot and Lo will make that much difference in the end.
For the future, I will say that (IMO&E) all foxfaces ultimately grow quickly and will get too big for a 90 gallon. But I don't think that's a view that is shared by many on these boards. Diving, I've seen them as big as a lot of tangs that people would squawk at in a 4-foot tank, but no one ever seems to object.
I don't know that the distinction between a one-spot and Lo will make that much difference in the end.
For the future, I will say that (IMO&E) all foxfaces ultimately grow quickly and will get too big for a 90 gallon. But I don't think that's a view that is shared by many on these boards. Diving, I've seen them as big as a lot of tangs that people would squawk at in a 4-foot tank, but no one ever seems to object.
Lsufiregal
New member
My rabbit fish grew FAST. Maybe since the tank is smaller he will grow slower. I hate that you didn't get the fish you ordered. Sorry.
Well, all my parameters are good and I feed them pretty well, so if he doesn't grow fast something is wrong. I feed the whole tank a half-cube of frozen and some flakes or pellets almost every day, plus seaweed every day.
Frostslasher
New member
I'm very surprised to hear that your foxface is eating so well after only a few days. It took a few weeks and garlic dosing for mine to come around to seaweed. That's unfortunate you didn't get a one-spot, beautiful fish! I would however keep the Lo until its noticeably too small for the environment.
DopeCantWin
Active member
Be careful with Garlic soaking. Read the research that it's not that great for fish. I'd recommend using Selcon instead.
Lsufiregal
New member
This is my Yellow Blotch Rabbit Fish. Top pic is May 2013, bottom is Sept 2013. Compare him to my yellow tang (who has also grown) and you can really tell.
I think I may be in trouble...
MounteeFrag
New member
I have mine in my 75 for a year and he hasn't grown that fast. I am in the process of building a 225 and when I do he will still stay in my 75. He is one of my favorite fish.
