Siganus unimaculatus - One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish

[spanko]

Okay a little background.
Have a 29 Bio Cube. Mostly SPS. I have a Caulerpa variety that is taking over my tank. I am able to control it by very aggressive harvesting each week with water change. For any of you that have the vined type of Caulerpa you know how invasive and fast growing it is. For those of you who don't do a google on it and see the problems it has caused in Europe and California and their efforts to try to control.
I have tried a number of things to try to control it. A sea hare did not do much. A small Scopas tang that did nothing. A small Yellow tang that did nothing. I have and emerald crab and he seems to eat the small shoots but cannot possible help me to control it. I recently got a small foxface. Flame me if you must but know that I know that the fish will be traded back to the LFS before it gets too big, just as the Scopas and Yellow did.
Now my question. He is eating the Caulerpa.

But tell me a little about the fish. Are they a shy fish normally? I know that they change color at night and when they are stressed. Mine during daylight hours is always a nice bright yellow and at night he gets that mottled brown coloring. But he is skittish when anyone approaches the tank. I just got it Good Friday so he has not been around too long but he is skittish.Normal or not?

 

[spanko]

Just a shamelss bump to keep it up towards the top.

 

[anonome]

It is absolutely normal for any fish to be a little shy when first introduced into a tank. The foxface is no different. The fact that he is eating is a very good sign, as well as staying a brilliant yellow during the day.
I am a little concerned though that he is a 29 gallon tank. But, if you indeed are going to trade it in, and it is doing its job on thinning out the caulerpa then ok. Reminder though that the fish is only eating the leaves not the roots, and it will just reappear.
Some of his behavior might be because of the confines of his living quarters.
Have you considered just drying out the live rock.....killing the caulerpa, but then you will have to seed it again to become live? Might be an easier, and less costly....I'm sure you are not getting the full paid price for the fish when traded back.

 

[nietzsche]

i have 3 types of caulepra in my tank and im in the same situation youre in. i have the grape caulepra, and two different types of caulepra that look like feathers.
as far as i know, tangs and the foxface will only take care of the grape caulepra-- the rest youll have to pull on your own. people on -- suggested for me just to keep pulling the stuff out

 

[spanko]

Originally Posted by Anonome
http:///forum/post/2535527
It is absolutely normal for any fish to be a little shy when first introduced into a tank. The foxface is no different. The fact that he is eating is a very good sign, as well as staying a brilliant yellow during the day.
I am a little concerned though that he is a 29 gallon tank. But, if you indeed are going to trade it in, and it is doing its job on thinning out the caulerpa then ok. Reminder though that the fish is only eating the leaves not the roots, and it will just reappear.
Some of his behavior might be because of the confines of his living quarters.
Have you considered just drying out the live rock.....killing the caulerpa, but then you will have to seed it again to become live? Might be an easier, and less costly....I'm sure you are not getting the full paid price for the fish when traded back.

I hate to think about buying new rock and just replacing what I have because of the coral I have.

 

[keri]

Sorry to hijack a little but I just spent an evening with caulerpa and you've got me interested...anyone know how big of a tank this fish will eventually need?

 

[spanko]

They grow up to about 7" and need a minimum 70 gallon tank.

 

[keri]

Thanks! I'm 5 gals short!

 

[mcbdz]

My foxface ate anything that would grow in my tank. I tried all types of macro and she ate every king. It also never grew back after she passed. Could be cause she had kept it so clean that the rootd died, and that may take a while.

I think they are the best algea eaters there are.

 

[anonome]

Thanks for the picture, I see what you mean about not wanting to start from scratch.....beautiful tank. At this point I would probably see if the foxface will eat the caulerpa, if not your only other option is to hand harvest it.
Nice tank.......good luck with it.

 

[spanko]

Well the good new is he is eating the Caulerpa.

The bad news, if you want to call it that, is that even as he eats it pcs. are getting ripped off the rock and endingup being sucked up on the outside of the Koralias I have in the tank. The outside (suction) of them has what looks to be a garden grown on them. Will have to clean them at water change but I can certainly live with that. I am so happy I could just _____