Rabbitfish in reefs?

joemarchetti · Feb 16, 2009

I have been thinking about adding a Rabbitfish to my 180 mixed reef. I have been told horror stories about Foxfaces boldly devouring zoas and soft corals from other people up here in Alaska. I was wondering if anyone has any experiences with other Rabbitfish species. Are Siganus virgatus or Siganus doliatus any less likely to be problems in my tank or should I leave them in the ocean?

MitchReef · Feb 16, 2009

I have a regular two spot (Don't know the species, sorry) and he is a perfect citizen in my mixed reef....

kateater · Feb 16, 2009

As long as they are well fed they shouldn't bother corals notice i said shouldn't. Can't know for sure about what individual fish will eat.

ss7 · Feb 16, 2009

I've seen 2 different orange spotted rabbits devour zoas. I've also seen many orange and other species as models. Its a matter of personal taste for the fish.

SS

droblack · Feb 16, 2009

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-12/fish/index.php From Reefkeeping Magazine online. Article on the Scribble Rabbitfish, made me want to take a chance on one but my tank wouldn't be a suitable home. Talk to Bradley if you can.

cultivatedcoral · Feb 16, 2009

Our orange spot has never touched any of our Armageddon's or any other coral for that matter. Great beautiful fish!

cultivatedcoral · Feb 16, 2009

Oh and our magnificent has not touched a coral either.

Hypertek99 · Feb 16, 2009

Don't do it!!! Better safe than sorry

Chris22582 · Feb 16, 2009

Im going to be getting rid of my orange spot. Hasnt hurt a thing in my tank except zoas. I have a good bit of lps and sps neve touched anything. I put some zoas in and he cleaned them up. He is well fed too. Some fish do some dont. lol

laskopyre · Feb 16, 2009

I had a foxface that left all my coral alone, except for my xenia. Wiped them all out. Left everything else alone.

Crystal · Feb 16, 2009

I had a Scribble Rabbitfish that didn't touch my zoas or other softies. At that time I didn't have any LPS or SPS. But, he would eat almost any kind of live macro I put in there. I gave him one dried algae sheet everyday.

MitchReef · Feb 16, 2009

laskopyre said:
I had a foxface that left all my coral alone, except for my xenia. Wiped them all out. Left everything else alone.

Hey laskopyre...can I borrow that fish???!!

Znut Reefer · Feb 16, 2009

I wouldn't recommend them. I had one for close to 5 yrs and he was a model citizen. Then all the sudden he started nipping at my acros. He was fed very well, in fact he would still go for the acros right after eating. Had to get him out. And that was a job. Took almost 2 mos to trap him. Meanwhile, my acros suffered.

gparr · Feb 16, 2009

Had a pair of orange spots. One day, one went rogue and beat the other one to death. I fed it regularly and daily, but it eventually decided it liked lps and zoanthids. It became a gift to someone who has a FOWLR. No more rabbitfish for me.
Gary

pete43 · Feb 17, 2009

I had both a scribble rabbitfish and a foxface that did'nt touch a thing.The only reason I got rid of them is I felt sorry that I was keeping them in a 65gal tank.
So long,Pete

joemarchetti · Feb 17, 2009

Thanks everyone for your responses. I know it is a risk and I am not sure if I am willing to take that risk at this point. I have lots of Zoas that I would hate to become food.

gparr · Feb 17, 2009

SaraB must be working at her paying job today or she would tell you about her zo-munching rabbitfish. It also went to a tank where it couldn't do any damage.
Gary

anomie · Feb 17, 2009

Joe, I was in the same boat, undecided about a rabbit fish. I got a dolitus and he's been great. Ate all my bubble algae and hasn't touched a thing in my mostly softie and LPS tank. I do keep him well feed though.

ReefRunner · Feb 17, 2009

I have a magnificent foxface in a 280 mixed reef and he has never bothered any of my corals. I do agree that individuals vary. They are beautiful additions to the tank though.

Robin

Ladipyg · Feb 17, 2009

gparr said:
Had a pair of orange spots. One day, one went rogue and beat the other one to death. I fed it regularly and daily, but it eventually decided it liked lps and zoanthids. It became a gift to someone who has a FOWLR. No more rabbitfish for me.
Gary

Jason says that "Bugs" is doing great Gary...he's grown about 1/2" since he came home and is an eating machine. Prefers eating out of my son's hand, even to the point of sticking it's face out of the water. I think he's one of the most beautiful fish I've ever seen, but being the zoa and LPS lover I am, I'm afraid he'd be sushi if he went after my corals. As it is, he's doing great, even gets along with the Foxface Lo in the FOWLR tank. Thanks again.