Foxface ID (Siganus unimaculatus) - 01/23/07
Just a quick question here.  I have a Siganus vulpinus with two black spots, one on either side.
<<Hmm, then is not S. vulpinus>>
I read in another FAO that this spot depends on geography.  I was just wondering what part of the world my little guy comes from and what part of the world the solid yellow one comes from.  Thanks for you help.
Jonathan
<<Well Jonathan, what you have is actually a different species of Foxface.  You have Siganus unimaculatus (the "One-Spot" or "Blotched" Foxface) which hails from the Western Pacific: Ryukyu Islands, the Philippines, and the North West Shelf, Western Australia.  This species looks very similar to S. vulpinus, and there is some overlap in their ranges but this species is a bit farther reaching being found in the Western Pacific: western Philippines...as well as Indonesia, New Guinea, Great Barrier Reef, Vanuatu (sighting), New Caledonia, Caroline Islands, Marshall Islands, Nauru (sighting) and Kiribati (sighting).  And recently recorded from Tonga (geographic information for both species per FishBase.org).  Do a search on the species name I gave you and see what you think.  Regards, Eric Russell>>

Rabbitfishes
Dear Mr. Fenner,
I have a couple of questions regarding Rabbitfish.
1) I purchased a Rabbitfish one year ago and can't tell what species it is. After searching WWM and my Burgess Atlas, I am still uncertain whether I own a S doliatus or an S virgatus. Is there some distinguishing feature that I can utilize to determine the difference between those two species of Rabbitfish?
<Mmm, the first almost always has yellow bands on the body. S. virgatus has an upper yellow dorsal-rear region, light below: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/rabbitfi.htm
If you saw them side by side...>
2) I also have a Lo vulpinus housed in my 125 gallon tank with the Siganus sp. I've read on this site as well as others that this may not be the best situation for the two Rabbitfish. Despite this, they have lived at least nine months together in complete harmony. In fact, along with my Z. desjardinii, the Rabbitfish almost look as if they are schooling together.
<Might well be>
Aside from five Chromis, these are the only three fish in the tank. Presently, the tang and two Rabbitfish are all approximately four inches. Should I expect more aggressive behavior between the two Rabbitfish as they mature, or should I feel extremely lucky that my two Rabbitfish do not display typical behavior towards one another? 
<As they've grown up together there should be no major conflicts between these two>
I am interested because if it is likely that there will be aggressive episodes in the future, I want to make arrangements to get rid of one of the Rabbitfish. Thanks for all the help your site has provided!
<You are welcome. Bob Fenner>

How did the Foxface come about its name? 8/5/05
Hello Bob.
<James>
Probably a silly question, but it is one where the common name does not seem
to fit the fish very well. Why did they name this fish: Foxface Lo?
<The old genus name "Lo" means "rabbit"... and the one species, species name vulpinus, "fox"... in reference to the physiognomy of the fishs face...>
Hawaii would be awesome but from lack of vacation (since we both took most
of ours already this year) and finances it is just not in the cards… =(
Sincerely,
James Zimmer
<Though it takes some looking into, the original scientific descriptions, namings of biological entities can be sought... and generally make some sort of sense... to the descriptor/s at least. Cheers, Bob Fenner>