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Black-face rabbitface (Siganus vulpinus) — Siganidae

Black-face rabbitface

Siganus vulpinus
Family: Siganidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black-face rabbitface (Siganus vulpinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Siganidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Western Pacific; coral-rich lagoons and seaward reefs.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The foxface rabbitfish is a rabbitfish (Siganidae) from the western Pacific. The species has a bright yellow body and a white-and-black marked, elongated snout reminiscent of a fox's muzzle, to which the name refers. It occurs in coral-rich parts of lagoons and seaward reefs, often among staghorn coral, usually in pairs. It grazes mainly on algae. The dorsal, pelvic and anal fin spines are venomous and give a painful puncture wound; treat a sting with hot water.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-face rabbitface?

The Black-face rabbitface has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Bright yellow with a fox-like snout marking; venomous fin spines; often lives in pairs among staghorn coral.

Where does the Black-face rabbitface live?

The Black-face rabbitface lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; coral-rich lagoons and seaward reefs.

How big does the Black-face rabbitface get?

The Black-face rabbitface grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Black-face rabbitface dangerous to humans?

The Black-face rabbitface is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. The fin spines are venomous and give a painful, burning puncture wound. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical care if pain or infection persists.

Is the Black-face rabbitface edible?

The Black-face rabbitface is rarely eaten.

More photos

Black-face rabbitface (Siganus vulpinus) — Siganidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Dr. Dwayne Meadows, NOAA/NMFS/OPR (Public domain)
Black-face rabbitface (Siganus vulpinus) — Siganidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Robin Sidney Kraft, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black-face rabbitface (Siganus vulpinus) — Siganidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) pclark2, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black-face rabbitface (Siganus vulpinus) — Siganidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Nevit Dilmen (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Black-face rabbitface verified
Scientific name
Siganus vulpinus
Family
Siganidae
Other names
Common foxface; Foxface; Foxface rabbitfish; Fox-face; Foxface spinefoot; Rabbitfish; Spinefoot verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; coral-rich lagoons and seaward reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bright yellow with a fox-like snout marking; venomous fin spines; often lives in pairs among staghorn coral. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous sourced
First aid
The fin spines are venomous and give a painful, burning puncture wound. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical care if pain or infection persists. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Siganus

More from the family Siganidae

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