Foxface Rabbitfish, Siganus vulpinus
Image Credit: Dr. Wayne Meadows (NOAA)/Wikipedia
The foxface rabbitfish is found in coral rich lagoons, and reefs in the coastal water of the Western Pacific. Around the western Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, the Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, Caroline Islands, and the Marshall Islands. It has also been sighted around Vanuatu, Nauru, Kiribati, and recently Tonga.
Adults usually swim in pairs, but the juveniles have been known to form schools.
The adult foxface rabbitfish is usually around nine inches in length, and bright yellow. It has a black, brown and white stripe on the head and front portion of the body. During the night or when stressed this species will darken in color and camouflage itself amongst the coral. The snout is long for reaching into cracks and crevices for food.
The dorsal and pectoral fins have spines that are venomous, and can be very painful if stung. However, the foxface rabbitfish is a timid species and will hide if approached or startled. Most injuries from this fish are done while handling them in an aquarium setting.
The diet of this species consists mainly of plant life and algae, but occasionally will nip at coral if hungry. If kept in an aquarium, the foxface rabbitfish does require algae as part of its diet and should be fed flaked food that contains algae or dried seaweed.
The foxface rabbitfish will form pairs when the fish reaches about four inches. Once a mate has been acquired, the two fish will be partners until one dies. This fish is egg laying, but breeding activity has not been studied.