Question for people with one-spot foxface

[Peter Houde]

I've got a question for you if you've had a one-spot foxface long enough to read how their color reflects their mood. Obviously, they change color a lot. When I first got mine two and a half months ago, it was pretty freaked out in quarantine along with a powder brown tang and it would go tiger-striped or altogether pale at times. It was most often the expected one-spot on yellow you always see in pictures once it was in the display tank. But over the past several days or more it has been pretty consistently all black above and yellow below and constantly flashing his quills. It doesn't matter whether another fish is anywhere nearby. If I could say there was a dominant fish in the tank, then he'd be the one. He can monopolize the nori. He's certainly not being harassed by any other fish, and it's pretty rare that I've seen him push any other around though he does go all porupine if anyone gets too close except during a feeding frenzy. So, what's up with the black above? What does that signal? What's his mood?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Mine always looked like a mushy-banana, without rhyme or reason. The yellow was dull when all other yellow fish were vibrant. It was also scared of his own shadow. I finally deemed it my least favorite / most disappointing fish and replaced it. Just being blunt.

 

[Pistondog]

I've got one, but have not seen that pattern.
He was one of my first fish and I put him in the tank sooner, before acclimation was finished, as he was pale and striped. Daughter told me that is normal for them. Also told me about the irritating spines after I got whacked.

 

[JGT]

Mine always looked like a mushy-banana, without rhyme or reason. The yellow was dull when all other yellow fish were vibrant. It was also scared of his own shadow. I finally deemed it my least favorite / most disappointing fish and replaced it. Just being blunt.

Ouch, don’t mess with Jumbo Shrimp or you’ll be banished.

 

[Goaway]

My fox face had the black band when swimming with my powder blue tang. Wonder if it means something passive. I don't have pics, or the pbt. Fox face no longer displays the band. So, i don't really understand

 

[SaltyT]

I've got a question for you if you've had a one-spot foxface long enough to read how their color reflects their mood. Obviously, they change color a lot. When I first got mine two and a half months ago, it was pretty freaked out in quarantine along with a powder brown tang and it would go tiger-striped or altogether pale at times. It was most often the expected one-spot on yellow you always see in pictures once it was in the display tank. But over the past several days or more it has been pretty consistently all black above and yellow below and constantly flashing his quills. It doesn't matter whether another fish is anywhere nearby. If I could say there was a dominant fish in the tank, then he'd be the one. He can monopolize the nori. He's certainly not being harassed by any other fish, and it's pretty rare that I've seen him push any other around though he does go all porupine if anyone gets too close except during a feeding frenzy. So, what's up with the black above? What does that signal? What's his mood?

My one spot looks exactly like yours and does the spine flicking thing in the evenings. Mine always has this dark black band except when it sleeps - I hope it doesn’t mean that it’s mad all the time

 

[sfin52]

It by far is my best algea grazer. Turf hair bubble its all on the menu. They flash the spines in flow or other fish get to close. They are a spoky fish

 

[SaltyT]

It by far is my best algea grazer. Turf hair bubble its all on the menu. They flash the spines in flow or other fish get to close. They are a spoky fish

I’m jealous of yours, mine won’t touch bubble algae

 

[>>klong<<]

Mine went through a phase where he had that solid black stripe across the top. I chalked it up to new tank instability or just the fish being unaccustomed to the tank. He's usually very yellow now, but his spot is kinda bird shaped - not a nice little circle. He is also a pig and eats anything, especially algae scraped off the glass.

 

[M Stein]

I believe that the juveniles are less yellow. The color fills in more as they mature.
What size is the Foxface?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Oh, great. @sfin52 just reminded me that my Foxface wouldn’t touch algae— except for expensive sheets of Nori. So much for a “utility” fish! At 8” he took up a lot of real estate in the tank, and I didn’t think I was getting a good return-on-investment. Lol!!

 

[JGT]

Oh, great. @sfin52 just reminded me that my Foxface wouldn’t touch algae— except for expensive sheets of Nori. So much for a “utility” fish! At 8” he took up a lot of real estate in the tank, and I didn’t think I was getting a good return-on-investment. Lol!!

Now you’re rationalizing. Sure sign of guilt.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Did I mention that the Foxface ate my homework?

 

[sfin52]

Oh, great. @sfin52 just reminded me that my Foxface wouldn’t touch algae— except for expensive sheets of Nori. So much for a “utility” fish! At 8” he took up a lot of real estate in the tank, and I didn’t think I was getting a good return-on-investment. Lol!!

I don't know what to tell you. Mine is a pig. Nori and sea lettuce. Won't even let me clip it before attacking it

 

[adittam]

Have any of you had any problems with your foxfaces nipping at corals? It's on my "maybe" list for my planned tank upgrade...

80 gallon lagoon upgrade - stocking plan

That's exciting!! I really like the 16" lagoon tanks. Do you know which one are you going with? Yep, I have a Seapora rimmed tank ordered already! I can't wait, it's gonna be so amazing :) https://www.thefishroom.net/products/seapora-frag-aquarium-80-gallons

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Wick3d_1]

It could be just adjusting. My bi color's tail was pale yellow for the longest. Now, it's a bright happy yellow against it's mostly black body. Foxfaces are moody and they show it

 

[SaltyT]

Have any of you had any problems with your foxfaces nipping at corals? It's on my "maybe" list for my planned tank upgrade...

80 gallon lagoon upgrade - stocking plan

That's exciting!! I really like the 16" lagoon tanks. Do you know which one are you going with? Yep, I have a Seapora rimmed tank ordered already! I can't wait, it's gonna be so amazing :) https://www.thefishroom.net/products/seapora-frag-aquarium-80-gallons

www.reef2reef.com

I’ve had my foxface almost a year and so far it hasn’t touched a coral.... or bubble algae... the reason I got him *sigh*

 

[Rmckoy]

I’ve never seen them eat bubble algae .
but grazes on everything .
In the veggie clip his fav is cucumber slices , nori ,

they go camo when stressed or when sleeping .
I have read one spot can change their spot and not specifically a round spot. .
It can be a stripe as well

Amazing fish .IMO

don’t get stung .
hurts like nothing you could ever imagine .