Coral Rabbitfish

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Siganus corallinus is known under several different names in English, such as Coral Rabbitfish, Spotted Rabbitfish, Spotted Spinefoot, Blue-spotted Spinefoot, Coral Spinefoot, Orange Spinefoot, and Ocellated Orange Spinefoot.

This species is not only kept in aquariums, it is also a food fish.

Siganus corallinus has not been evaluated for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Geographical range, habitat and habits

The Coral Rabbitfish is found in the Indo-West Pacific and occurs from approximately 30°N to 30°S. It has been reported from the waters of the following countries and territories:
Australia, Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, The Maldives, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Palau Papua New Guinea, The Philippines, The Seychelles, Singapore, The Solomon Islands, Thailand, Vanuatu, and Vietnam. In the waters of northwest Australia, the species is replaced by its close relative the Threeblotched Rabbitfish (Siganus trispilos).

The Coral Rabbitfish is a reef-associated species with a depth range of 3-30 meters / 10-100 feet. It is found in parts of lagoons with prolific algae growth. Juveniles form small schools and shelter in shallow waters in reef environments or in sea grass beds. They are often seen near Acropora corals. Adult fish normally forms pairs and inhabit shallow coral reefs.   

Size and appearance

The largest scientifically measured Coral Rabbitfish was 35.0 cm / 13.8 in.

The body, head and fins of the Coral Rabbitfish are of an orange-yellow shad and this fish has ocelli (eye-spots) on head, sides and thorax. In some specimens, the ocelli extend onto the bases of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins. The ocelli are pale blue with dark margins. The fish is also adorned with numerous smaller spots (about the size of a pinhead). Behind the eye, you can see a dark triangle.  

Small juveniles that are no larger than 5 cm / 2 in may sport vertical blue lines on the sides. As the fish grows older, these lines will fragment into ocelli.

The Coral Rabbitfish has venomous spines.

Coral Rabbitfish care

It is not advisable to house Coral Rabbitfish in aquariums smaller than 75 gallons / 285 liters. 
This is a peaceful species, but it should not be combined with rabbitfish from other species. Adults should ideally be kept in pairs, because this is how they live in the wild.

The Coral Rabbitfish is considered reef safe with caution. It can destroy certain soft corals, including Xenia corals.

It is important to be careful when handling the Coral Rabbitfish, because it is equipped with venomous spines.

Keep the water temperature at 72-78 degrees F / 22-25.5 degrees C. The pH-value should be 8.2-8.4 and the specific gravity 1.020-1.025.          

Feeding Coral Rabbitfish

The Coral Rabbitfish feeds primarily on benthic algae in the wild, but it will eat benthic invertebrates as well. (Benthic = occuring on the bottom or in the bottom sediment of a body of water.)

Try to mimic the natural diet of the fish in the aquarium, e.g. by serving your Coral Rabbitfish marine algae, spirulina and algae based prepared foods suitable for marine herbivores. You can also give your Coral Rabbitfish vegetables, e.g. lettuce and zucchini, to make the diet even more varied. Natural algae growth should ideally be encouraged in the aquarium to make it possible for the fish to carry out its natural grazing behaviour. Give the fish many small portions throughout the day instead of just one or two large ones.

Since this fish is used to having a certain degree of benthic invertebrates in its diet in the wild, it should be given small amounts of meaty food in captivity as well.

Breeding Coral Rabbitfish

We don’t have any information about breeding Coral Rabbitfish in aquariums.

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