Like the title says, I am thinking about adding a Foxface or other rabbitfish. Obviously, these fish have venomous spines, but I have a couple of questions about how you handle venomous fish in general. First, how do you guys go about transferring the fish into the tank from the shipping bag? Second, what precautions do I need to take to protect myself when I am working in the tank? In addition, I have been looking into getting a fish trap in general, but all of the ones I see on BRS have some pretty negative reviews, and am curious to hear whether people think I should get one and if so which one. Thanks in advance for all the help.
Thinking about adding a foxface
- Thread starter Joem820
- Start date
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bobnicaragua
Well-Known Member
They can't sting you through the bag.
Foxfaces are not aggressive unless you have nori in your hand. They will generally stay out of your way.
Foxfaces are not aggressive unless you have nori in your hand. They will generally stay out of your way.
Cole.mormon
Valuable Member
no precautions needed! will only attack if you have nori. Will stay out of your way, their sting is no worse than a bee sting
Cole.mormon
Valuable Member
Grab him with hands
Cole.mormon
Valuable Member
Use hands to envelope him amd drop him in the other tank
Cole.mormon
Valuable Member
use nitrile gloves
mattzang
2500 Club Member
i try to use a little breeder box thing i have or some plastic colanders i have around. nets aren't ideal for catching fish with, spines and gills can get stuck, some fish bite the nets and get their teeth ripped out when you remove them from the net, etc.
color me not surprised the guy telling you to grab it with your hands has clearly been stung by a foxface. do with that information as you wish
color me not surprised the guy telling you to grab it with your hands has clearly been stung by a foxface. do with that information as you wish
Cole.mormon
Valuable Member
lol it was a joke.
Cole.mormon
Valuable Member
Actually though, use nitrile gloves please
Susan Edwards
5000 Club Member
I have one. Can't remember how I added him. Could pour him into a small container, very little of bag water, then dump him in. If you've been adding water to bag, what few drops would be no worse than what is on the net or fish itself. I love my guy. Use a nori feeder and he's happy
I just added a small Foxface from Live Aquaria a couple weeks ago. I was worried about the spines/venom myself, but it has turned out to be overblown.
After acclimating I just used a small tupperware bowl to scoop it out of the bucket. Put my handle over the top, drained most of the water, and into the DT it went. Sure, I got a little bit of acclimation water, but oh well.
The Foxface has so far been a (mostly) model citizen. The Yellow Tang, Tomini Tang, and Pygmy Angel that were already in the tank tried to play "boss" a couple times, so I saw some spike flashing. After that though they all get along.
It's never really come near my hand(s) when I've had to go into the tank. I just need to remind myself to pay a little more attention now (besides just watching out for the three Tangs).
Our new Convict Tang swims really close to my hands, worries me every time, but I think it's just hoping I've got some food.
You do want to use a plastic colander or similar, I also use these kitchen strainers with a plastic type net. The fox can easily get caught in the net, because many times as a stress reaction will pop up their spines. Feeding time just keep your hands out of the tank, my fox is right to top and could easily jab you, otherwise they tend to retreat from you when cleaning, etc. Always make sure you know where he is before putting your hands in the tank, and make sure he sees you. I currently have 10 venomous fish, after 30 years I got my 1st jab from a lionfish several months ago. It was a minor situation for me, but please don't play down the possibility of a negative reaction, or at least some sweet pain.
I just slid mine in after floating it in the bag.
Mine is peacful and swims around with my Convict and Tomini Tang.
If I put my arm in the tank all the fish hide.
It will eat Nori now from my hand.
Just took this one.
Mine is peacful and swims around with my Convict and Tomini Tang.
If I put my arm in the tank all the fish hide.
It will eat Nori now from my hand.
Just took this one.
I use one of those little fish keepers from Petco to transfer mine to and from the tank. I have my hands in my tank all the time and he avoids me. He's usually on the opposite end of the tank from where I'm working.
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