Anyone have/had a Rabbitfish that wasn't reef safe?

[Len]

I've only had one before and it was a model citizen. Some people write that they may nip or eat corals. Anyone with this type of experience?

 

[Anonymous]

Nope, mine have been model citizens. In fact, I have had much better luck with foxface than with tangs as far as coral eating.

 

[Anonymous]

I had one that wasnt even FISH safe- a Scribbled Rabbitfish- killed every other fish in the tank.
Weird, as I've kept several types before, including the Scribbled, and all have been very passive in the past - this one however, was just mean - evil to the core mean.

 

[Anonymous]

Nope - I have always found them to be perfect inhabitants, maybe a bit greedy at feeding time.

 

[kevin b]

My Foxface is well behaved. I have some Blastos and Brains that I was worried about. I have been lucky with some possible coral eaters, so far my Potters angel has been a model citizen as well.

 

[Len]

Thanks. Still thinking about the Magnificent Rabbitfish .... another concern is fear for my small black tang.

 

[Anonymous]

Mine never started trouble and would only raise their fins and point their head down if any other fish (yellow tang) messed with them.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Still thinking about the Magnificent Rabbitfish .... another concern is fear for my small black tang.

I've had one of them- IME, they're the most timid of all the Rabbits - at one point I was trying to set up a Species specific tank- I 5 different Rabbits, and the Magnificient was the most timid.

 

[Anonymous]

Len,

You assume a small risk as ever, some individuals are just deviant. Mine never touched anything and was a addition to my reef.

I still think in the largish, yellow herbivore department, yellow tangs are more desirable, but that's just my preference.


Jim

 

[ChrisRD]

Mine never touches any coral and seems pretty mellow although he will defend himself when harassed. He eats like a pig!

 

[Anonymous]

We had one for a few months. It never caused a single problem.

 

[Anonymous]

The large coral reef tank at the Steinhart has a number of different Siganus spp. and several of the large ones nibble at soft corals, mostly Sarcophyton and Sinularia spp. I have to see exactly what species of Siganus they are, but I know one is a S. guttatus. The typical foxfaces (S. vulpinis/unimaculatus) have not caused any problems as far as we can see. The damage to the soft corals is minor, and these are really big fish in the range of 12-14". They just put little peck marks on the flesh, but don't kill the coral. As always, YMMV.