Foxface (Siganus vulpinus)

Scientific name: Siganus vulpinus Schlegel & M?ller, 1845

The Foxface (Siganus vulpinus) is a marine fish of the family Siganidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 26–28°C (79–82°F).

Foxface care at a glance

Temperature: 26–28°C (79–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 7; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 13. A dark chocolate ocular band running in an arc from base of 1st dorsal spine to chin; a narrow white blaze on midline of head profile; thorax dark chocolate; a broad white zone behind ocular bar on trunk; remainder of body yellow-orange. Stout, pungent, venomous spines. Caudal fin only slightly incised. Fully scaled midline of thorax. Preopercular angle 119? (111?-120?). Variable cheek scaling; usually overlapping scales, 8-10 rows deep below center of orbit; occasionally, few scattered scales; area fully scaled from lower edge of orbit 2 angle of mouth. S. vulpinus is very closely related to and possibly the same as S. unimaculatus, which has a large black blotch on the sides beneath the soft dorsal rays.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Siganus vulpinus
Family: Siganidae (Rabbitfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 25.0
Common length: 20.0
Depth range: 30 m (98 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 30 m, usually 1 - 30 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Pacific: western Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, Great Barrier Reef, Vanuatu (sighting), New Caledonia, Caroline Islands, Marshall Islands, Nauru (sighting) and Kiribati (sighting). Recently recorded from Tonga.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Venomous
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)