Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
General Description: The Magnificent Foxface, also known as the Magnificent Rabbitfish or Red Fin Foxface, is native Indonesia and Sumatra. The Magnificent foxface has a dark black band across its face, a body that is half white and half brown, a red dorsal fin, and yellow pectoral, anal, and caudal fins. This unique coloration surely makes the Magnificent foxface a center piece in any reef or fish-only with live rock aquarium. Though it has a peaceful demeanor, the Magnificent foxface can be kept successfully with more aggressive species because of its venomous dorsal spines that fish avoid. Because of this, great care must be taken when handling and to be congnicent of its whereabouts in the aquarium during maintenance. A hardy fish, an adult Magnificent foxface can reach a size of approximately 8″. Due to seasonality or infrequent collection, there are periods during the year that Magnificent foxface are not available.
Diet Requirements: In the wild foxface are primarily herbivorous. A diet largely consisting of algae-based foods is absolutely necessary to maintain optimal health and coloration. Vegetable based flake foods or frozen foods, that may also include spirulina algae, are excellent options. We also recommend offering dried seaweed on a rock or clip three times a week minimum. Magnificent foxface will consume various other protein-based frozen foods.
Care Requirements: A minimum 125 gallon aquarium with 18+ inch width is ideal. Smaller specimens can be temporarily raised in smaller quarters (no less than 75 gallons) as long as it is upgraded accordingly. Foxface enjoy a variety of rock work and crevices to take refuge, but also should be provided with open swimming space. Foxface are often sought after to add to a reef aquarium for not only their unique appearance, but their natural tendency to graze upon algae build up including nuisance bubble algae. The Magnificent foxface is not likely compatible with other foxface species, and this includes rabbitfish. Their addition into a reef aquarium is “with caution” because in certain circumstances where adequate food is not provided, foxface have been observed to nip at macroalgaes, and large polyp stony and soft corals. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size: Small: 2-1/2″ to 3″; Medium 3-1/2″ to 4″; Large: 4″ to 5-1/2″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.