Rabbit Fish

September 19, 2008 · Filed Under Marine Fish Profiles · Comment 

The Rabbit Fish (family Siganidae) also known as the fox face has adapted to its natural environment with odd characteristics. It has an oval shaped body that is flat and thin. They also have two distinct similarities to the animal, the rabbit, which have given this fish its name. One is the amazing mouth that slightly protrudes, baring its sharp teeth. These teeth are used for munching on dead coral branches and flora that is found on rocks. The fish’s feeding behavior is the second of the similarities to the rabbit. It is a continuing action that gives the appearance of constant munching.

The rabbit fish is a highly diverse family of brightly colored fish that can be found along coastal areas. It is apparent that some species of the rabbit fish, particularly the Siganidae family, have a high tolerance to saline since they can also be found in brackish waters. Other species of this fish have migrated into fresh water.

Rabbitfish are closely related to Surgeonfish, and are similarly shaped and equally colorful. They are grazers like Surgeonfish and Parrotfish, and help to keep the algae on rock surfaces down to only a millimeter or two in length. The dorsal, ventral, and anal spines of Rabbitfish are mildly venomous but extremely painful, which earned them their ironic Australian name of ‘Happy Moments’. With the exception of the Java Rabbitfish which can grown to over 50 cm a typical adult size is 25 to 30 cm (about 10 to 12 inches).

Rabbit Fish are poisonous and non-poisonous species and are very popular as aquarium specimens. One of the most popular of these is the yellow rabbit fish. This beautifully colored fish has a bright yellow body that is punctuated by a large black dot near the rear. Although it is wary of other fish in the tank it is very seldom known to attack.

Since the rabbit fish is closely related to the surgeonfish it is believed that their mating behaviors are much the same. The rabbit fish likely spawns in groups after which the eggs float on the waters surface until they have hatched.

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