Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Ocean Nutrition 

Siganus

Siganus doliatus

Guerin-Meneville, 1829-38

Barred Spinefoot Rabbitfish

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Indonesia to Palau, and south to northern Australia and Tonga.

Size: 10 inches (25 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits coral rich lagoons and seaward reefs and usually found at depths between 6 - 50 feet (2 - 15 m) where it feeds mainly upon algae and some benthic invertebrates.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, and quite attractive having an overall yellowish body, two black slanted bars, one through the eye, and the other just aft of the gill plate and numerous bluish narrow vertical lines on the body.

Best maintained in well-established fish-only or reef aquariums with wide-open swimming areas, and preferably containing some algae growth.

Even though technically an omnivore, they are excellent herbivores and require a large amount of vegetable matter in their diet. In fact, they are one of the better hair alga consumers. Requires a varied diet made up of mostly vegetable matter, especially some Spirulina flake and some nori (dried seaweed/kelp). Should receive at least several feedings per day.

May be difficult to feed in the early days in the aquarium and if so, live enriched adult brine shrimp should be offered several times daily. Also, live macroalgae, e.g., Caulerpa is good at enticing new inhabitants to feed. Over time, it may learn to also accept various frozen herbivore foods.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Acanthuroidei

    Family: Siganidae

    Genus: Siganus

FYI: Keep in mind they have venomous dorsal and anal fins, similar to lionfish, and care must be taken in their handling.

Not totally safe with some soft corals, such as Xenia.

Easy to feed, quite active, none aggressive, and resistant to poor water quality.

One per tank unless a mated pair.

May chase other herbivores in the aquarium.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Omnivore/herbivore

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful to moderately aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (21 - 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Siganus doliatus (Barred Spinefoot Rabbitfish)
Photo © John Randall
Siganus corallinus Siganus guttatus
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