Since there is no Primer thread for this species yet, I have to ask. I've never had one before and it was recommended to me as a 'method' to help deal with Valonia algae. I do know their spines are venomous but not much else. Is there any species they don't get along with? Any special requirements? Aggressiveness in general? What are the more coveted (unusual or beautiful) species? Tank minimum size? Any info would be welcome. Thanks in advance.
Who Can Tell Me About Rabbitfish?
- Thread starter 64Ivy
- Start date
I had two s. doliatus (acquired together about 3 years ago). They were in my 550 together until about 2 weeks ago, when one came up MIA and the other one was severely beat up. They went through short periods when they would fight with each other some, and I think one of the battles finally became serious 
As for their behavior to other fish, I never saw a hint of aggression even from them or to them (I have a hepatus and a sailfin in the tank as well). They LOVED nori on clips, but were not picky eaters. They ate whatever I added to the tank.
Personally, I think the doliatus is one of the nicest looking rabbitfish.
They can get quite large, so I wouldn't put them in a 4 foot tank.
As for their behavior to other fish, I never saw a hint of aggression even from them or to them (I have a hepatus and a sailfin in the tank as well). They LOVED nori on clips, but were not picky eaters. They ate whatever I added to the tank.
Personally, I think the doliatus is one of the nicest looking rabbitfish.
They can get quite large, so I wouldn't put them in a 4 foot tank.
reefergeorge
New member
My foxface is a great fish. He picks at unwanted algae, and is always out swimming around. He will even take the nori right out of my hand.
IMO they are a great addition to any tank over 75 gallons.
IMO they are a great addition to any tank over 75 gallons.
Should I decide to go with one of these fish, I would be putting it in a 500g 'SPS' dominant reef tank along with a Purple Tang, a striatus Bristletooth, a Crosshatch Trigger, a Mystery Wrasse, a Copperband Butterfly, two Flame Hawks, three Green Chromis, and about 15 Anthias of various species. Not very crowded. There are also Emerald crabs, Astrea and Cerith snails, and a few hermit crabs about. Nothing here to worry about I hope...?
rort
Active member
I have had my single spot rabbitfish is great and I have had him for over a year!! One of my favorite and most hardy fish! He was VERY timid when first put in the tank but is now ALWAYS out and hanging out with my chocolat tang!
I don't agree with saying "they are zoa eaters" a statement more along the lines of "they have a tendency to eat zoas" as I know TONs of rabbitfish that are in tanks and NEVER touch zoas. They need to be feed enough and consistantly and will most likely leave ur zoas alone.
Mine will look thru my zoa colonies and find algea right next to the zoa and never touch it!
I would recommend staying away from the starry or golden bloched rabbitfish as they have a high mortality rate. I have attempted a few of these and have not been able to get them eating.
Good luck and show us pics when u get one!!
I don't agree with saying "they are zoa eaters" a statement more along the lines of "they have a tendency to eat zoas" as I know TONs of rabbitfish that are in tanks and NEVER touch zoas. They need to be feed enough and consistantly and will most likely leave ur zoas alone.
Mine will look thru my zoa colonies and find algea right next to the zoa and never touch it!
I would recommend staying away from the starry or golden bloched rabbitfish as they have a high mortality rate. I have attempted a few of these and have not been able to get them eating.
Good luck and show us pics when u get one!!
LukFox
Active member
I had one foxface for a couple years and he was an excellent addition. FAST grower, outgoing, and decimated all sorts of algae. I lost him to internal parasites that were introduced by another fish. When I later got another foxface, it was so timid I had to return it.
They were the same species of rabbitfish, so I would say the general attitude of the fish may vary and that will decide if it gets along with your fish. My fish weren't even outwardly aggressive to the second foxface; they simply were so active during feeding time that the rabbit would hide in the rocks until things calmed down, then look for scraps. He wasn't getting enough food that way so I moved him out.
I've found the ones I kept to be quite non-aggressive to their tank mates (I never kept multiple rabbits at once though). Mine never picked at corals either, and I had zoas.
I probably wouldn't put one in anything less than a 6 foot tank when they get larger, and that happens quickly. The first foxface was the reason I upgraded from a 40g to a 155g in the first place.
I've always loved S. unimaculatus and S. puellus, but it seems most favor the magnificent and doliatus rabbits.
They were the same species of rabbitfish, so I would say the general attitude of the fish may vary and that will decide if it gets along with your fish. My fish weren't even outwardly aggressive to the second foxface; they simply were so active during feeding time that the rabbit would hide in the rocks until things calmed down, then look for scraps. He wasn't getting enough food that way so I moved him out.
I've found the ones I kept to be quite non-aggressive to their tank mates (I never kept multiple rabbits at once though). Mine never picked at corals either, and I had zoas.
I probably wouldn't put one in anything less than a 6 foot tank when they get larger, and that happens quickly. The first foxface was the reason I upgraded from a 40g to a 155g in the first place.
I've always loved S. unimaculatus and S. puellus, but it seems most favor the magnificent and doliatus rabbits.
Jacob D
New member
+1
BrianD
Amore169
My Doliatus ate anything and everything, including all my zoas, was never timid, constantly grazing all over the place, got pretty damn big, and accidentally hit me with his dorsal spines when I spooked him once... ouch. IME they are also near indestructible.
BrianD
Amore169
My Doliatus ate anything and everything, including all my zoas, was never timid, constantly grazing all over the place, got pretty damn big, and accidentally hit me with his dorsal spines when I spooked him once... ouch. IME they are also near indestructible.
Sloeber
Active member
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/hcs3/index.php
If your Rabbitfish is eating your corals, you are likely not feeding it enough. When starved, even you will eat something you normally wouldn't touch.
If your Rabbitfish is eating your corals, you are likely not feeding it enough. When starved, even you will eat something you normally wouldn't touch.
rydr119
Member
I LOVE my 2-barred rabbit (Siganus virgatus). Eats all kinds of pesky algae and doesn't touch any of my corals clams or other inverts. I would have to say the most personality out of any fish I have ever owned. Some times too personal if I am doing something in the tank it will swim around me and I get a little worried about the spines but it so docile I don't think it would ever do anything. East like a pig and I would have to agree with hcs3 that if their picking at your corals your not feeding enough. These fish do get very big but I think a 500 would be just fine 
. Mine is the welcoming committee to any new additions also. If I add a new fish to the tank the rabbit is the first to greet the new guy and tends to keep any aggression from the other fish at bay.
. Mine is the welcoming committee to any new additions also. If I add a new fish to the tank the rabbit is the first to greet the new guy and tends to keep any aggression from the other fish at bay.
I had a Yellow Blotch Rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus) for awhile. Over all a great fish just out grew its tank. He clean my tank of Valonia algae in a few days. He also took care of all my zoa's. Wasn't very aggressive, infact was more on the timid side. With that said he was kept with a number of other large angels and tangs.
Lotus99
Active member
I have a one-spot. My tank was covered in bubble algae, which is why I bought it. It was incredibly skittish when I first got it, but has become friendly now.
I never saw mine eat a single piece of bubble algae, but I have since discovered that he only picks at the rocks when he thinks no one (i.e. food source) is watching. I am now bubble algae free. I'm guessing he ate it all while I was at work or asleep.
Mine has also never touched any of the zoas in my tank. However, I did notice a few months back he was getting a little skinny, so I've been feeding him more. Mine does not touch mysis. He'll eat nori and pellets, but isn't interested in meaty foods.
I never saw mine eat a single piece of bubble algae, but I have since discovered that he only picks at the rocks when he thinks no one (i.e. food source) is watching. I am now bubble algae free. I'm guessing he ate it all while I was at work or asleep.
Mine has also never touched any of the zoas in my tank. However, I did notice a few months back he was getting a little skinny, so I've been feeding him more. Mine does not touch mysis. He'll eat nori and pellets, but isn't interested in meaty foods.
Similar threads
