All fish / Siganidae

Magnificent Rabbitfish

Siganus magnificus

Also known as magnificent foxface, andaman foxface, black-blotched rabbitfish, magnificent rabbit fish, andaman rabbitfish, ปลาสลิดหินอันดามัน, マグニフィセントラビットフィッシュ, 华丽蓝子鱼, 安达曼狐狸鱼

A striking rabbitfish with a white to pale yellow body, a bright yellow rear and fins, and a large black blotch along the flank. It is kept as an active, hardy grazer that helps control nuisance algae in larger reef and fish-only systems.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

500 litres

Keep as

Single specimen or a mated pair; one rabbitfish per tank unless very large

Diet

Herbivore: nori and other seaweeds, algae-based pellets and flakes, blanched greens, with some mysis

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Indian Ocean: Andaman Sea coasts of Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia

Breeding

It spawns in pairs, scattering adhesive eggs, and the larvae are pelagic. Captive breeding is not achieved in home aquariums, so trade fish are wild caught.

Good to know

Dorsal, anal and pelvic fin spines are venomous and give a painful sting, so handle with care. It may nibble soft and large-polyp stony corals, and it needs plenty of swimming space as an adult.