Double Barred Rabbitfish (Siganus virgatus)

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Double Barred Rabbitfish

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Blue

Siganus virgatus

568 Litres (150 US G.)

20.3-25.4cm (8-10 ")

pH

8.1 - 8.4

22.2-25.6°C (72 -78 °F)

8-12 °d

1:1 M:F

Herbivore
Pellet Foods
Other (See article)

8-12 years

Family

Siganidae



Additional names

Virgate rabbitfish, Barhead Spinefoot, Double-barred Spinefoot


Sexing

Difficult to visually sex this fish.


Tank compatibility

This is a large but peaceful fish, except with others of its own species. Only one Rabbitfish per tank (pairs are possible however if the tank is very large). They are generally reef-safe, but may nip at soft corals if not well fed. Can be kept with similar-sized semi-aggressive fish as the Rabbitfish is fairly robust.


Diet

Will graze on algae on live rock, needs to be supplemented with algae wafers, spirulina and prepared foods designed for herbivorous saltwater fish.


Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day depending on algae content of tank.


Environment specifics

Prefers a spacious well filtered tank with open swimming space. Some live rock on which to graze is desirable.


Behaviour

A generally peaceful fish that can defend itself as it is armed with venomous dorsal spines.


Identification

This rabbitfish is white, and yellow with two brown bars, one down the eyes, and one down the operculum, with blue markings confined to the upper face, and upper front back. This species, and the closely related Blue-lined Rabbitfish are so similar in appearance that each species' scientific names are misapplied to each other; these two species are so similar they are known to hybridise in the wild. The key to differentiating the two is that the Blue-lined has more blue, with blue lines all over it.

Pictures

External links