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Years back, this “spine foot” (another group name for the family
Siganidae) was sold along with the Foxface (Lo or Siganus vulpinus) as
just a variant of the Foxface. Their care in captivity is identical; as
is the need to be careful when handling them. All Rabbitfishes are
painfully spiny and can be toxic if you’re spined but good.
For comparison’s sake:
Blotched Rabbit Range:
Siganus unimaculatus is commonly found over shallow reefs from S. Japan
through the Philippines to W. Australia. It is often collected for the
trade in both the Philippines and Indonesia.
Compatibility:
Like all Rabbitfishes, the One-spot gets along with all that get along
with it. Some notable problematic situations arise if the fish is kept
in too small confines. A system of four foot length, seventy gallons is
the minimum suggested; larger is much better. Other members of the same
sub-order (Acanthuroidea) can prove antagonistic; particularly larger
Tangs. And though the species is found almost always in twos in the
wild; it’s best to stock it one to a tank.
Nothing can or will substitute for your careful observation of your
livestock. Should you see your Rabbit hiding continuously, being backed
into a corner, dorsal spines facing, you should be pro-active in moving
either it or the antagonist elsewhere. Again, WATCH YOUR HANDS (!) when
netting these fishes. Their anterior dorsal pelvic and anal spines are
VERY PAINFUL to get jabbed by.
Stocking/Selection:
Picking out a healthy Siganid is relatively easy; the family ships well
and even torn fin rays heal in quick order. Look for:
1)
Clear eyes sans obvious scratches.
2)
A lack of bloody marks, though scratches are to be expected of
newly arrived specimens
3)
That the specimen has been on hand a good week or more to allow it
to rest up, become adapted to captive conditions, foods.
4)
That it is indeed feeding; on foods you can and intend to proffer.
System:
A fish-only arrangement is fine for this fish, indeed all Siganids… many
living in shallow reefs, occasionally foraging into freshwater streams
that pour into the ocean. Hence vacillation, maintaining a purposely
lowered specific gravity is not an issue.
Some live rock is greatly appreciated; with this fish, Sigands period,
spending a good deal of their days seeking out and scraping algal
aufwuchs from hard substrates. Of course, the LR also aids in promoting
stable and optimized water quality.
Best to have their systems well-circulated, a good ten times plus turn
over, to promote the moving up and out of accumulated wastes, mulm, and
to improve gas distribution.
Foods/Feeding/Nutrition:
As alluded to above; these fishes are largely herbivorous; or rather
algivorous, and should be offered prepared or live palatable species of
algae daily. Other staple foods I endorse are nutritious brands of small
pellets, tablets and frozen/defrosted mixtures. More frequent, smaller
food offerings during daylight hours (they hide, sleep at night) are
preferable over once daily.
Disease:
Like their close kin, the Surgeonfishes, Siganids tend toward easy
susceptibility to pathogenic disease, particularly Cryptocaryon. Also
like them they are sensitive to copper and dye medications. Better by
far to try avoiding introduction of disease causing organisms through
careful purchase, dips/baths and a good week or two in
isolation/quarantine twixt their introduction to main/displays.
Reproduction/Breeding:
As yet these fishes have not been commercially produced; though a few
species are of human food/fisheries importance. They have the shared
Acanthuroid issues of long pelagic larval developmental time and slow
growth going against them here.
Conclusion/Cloze:
Suitable for use for fish only to full blown reef systems; the blotched
or one-spot Rabbitfish is a looker with little demands. All it really
needs is space, easy-going tankmates, a good deal of algae in its diet
and it’s good to go.
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