Magnificent Foxface question?

[RR14]

I am interested in getting a Magnificent Foxface. I have never owned a venomous fish before. What are the odds/possibility that a fellow fish makes accidental contact with its venomous fin? I have seen my flame angel bump into the top of yellow tang during feeding. I don't think it should be a problem based the number of marine aquarist who owns a Rabbitfish or Foxface. But sometimes you gotta just ask these simple questions.

 

[yukonblizzard]

My foxface ignores all my fish including tangs and a triggerfish. The only time I see them make contact is during feeding, but my foxface never displayed his spines on them. And when my foxface does poke up his spines the fish know not to mess with him.

 

[kevin254]

I've had a magnificent foxface for about 6 months now. My tomato clown and him are best friends and swim around together all the time. They bump into each other while swimming and eating and no problems yet.

 

[nikon187]

no problems for your other fish they know better.

 

[Lightsluvr]

Kiss and make up?

Kiss and make up?

I've had a 5" Magnificent Foxface for a week now... the first few days, my 3" yellow tang made life miserable for it... the tang would slide up beside the Foxface and try to snag it with its spurs... the Foxface would display its fins but would generally cower and swim as far away from the Tang as possible. During these days, it was always hiding; its skin was constantly mottled and it was eating very little. Obviously I was getting very concerned...

Then, suddenly one morning, the behaviour of both fish drastically changed. Now they act like best buds, swim very close while feeding with no aggression. The Foxface will still display his dorsals, but the Tang leaves him alone...

Maybe they kissed and made up :eek1: while I wasn't looking...

LL

 

[mrwilson]

My experience is just like yukonblizzard's. I frequently sing the praises of these fish. I think that foxfaces (of the vulpinus/lo and magnifica species, not to mention other rabbits) are excellent aquarium fish, and quite underrated. Mine has never nibbled a single coral, and singlehandedly eradicated the hair algae issue I was having for awhile. It has never bothered another tank inhabitant that I've seen. They are relatively inexpensive (even the maginificas can generally be had for around $100 or less) and very hardy. They have an exotic shape, and the "camo" mode is interesting to observe. The fact that they are venomous is really their only drawback (I always use reef gloves when I put my hands in my tank, and that's not only a hassle, you can't have much precision - it's practically like wearing mittens.). Although that same feature also allows them to be kept with some pretty aggressive fish, if you want.

 

[Lightsluvr]

Camo mode

Camo mode

Is the camo coloring a sign of stress? I thought I read that somewhere...

It is fascinating to watch how quickly they can turn it on and off... faster than a crying brat at Wal-Mart!

LL

 

[mrwilson]

Yes. But it is also "sleep mode." When the actinics go off and the moonlights come on, mine sort of tucks itself among some rocks, extends his spines and goes motionless (and camo-ed).

From time to time I notice that mine also goes sort of between camo and full yellow/black/white - he turs a sort of pale yellow, almost a wheat color for a short time. No idea what prompts that.

 

[tangers]

I have had a magnificent foxface now for over 2 yrs. He has never bothered anyone. Every once in a great while if he feels threatened he will "stand up" and show his spines to whoever is bothering him. He has never attacked anyone or hurt anyone though. Just defended himself. Great fish would reccomend it to anyone.
Here he is when I got him just a little guy 2-3"

Here he is now approx 6"