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You are here: Home / Captive Bred Fish / A Look at the Goldline Rabbitfish

A Look at the Goldline Rabbitfish

by greg.chernoff

A Look at the Goldline Rabbitfish

If you have worked in this industry–the ornamental fish trade–for any significant amount of time, you certainly will notice that different species, genera or even whole families of fish go in and out of style. One example of a family of marine fish that has been underrepresented (and, arguably, underappreciated) for some time is Siganidae, the Rabbitfishes. Rabbitfish (or, as they are sometimes called, spinefoots) have a lot of great attributes as aquarium fish. But it is the recent introduction of a captive-bred species, the Goldline Rabbitfish (Siganus lineatus), that will really have aquarists taking a second look at these animals.

This article is indeed about the charming and beautiful Goldline Rabbitfish. However, because it is so similar to its relatives in terms of natural history and husbandry, we will begin the discussion with an overview of the siganids in general.

Not to Rabbit on, But…

Family Siganidae is comprised of 29 species. All of these are assigned to one genus, Siganus. Hybridization is common in the family and has caused some confusion for taxonomists in the past. Most siganids bear bright gold-yellow and blue colors. Most grow (rather quickly) to around a foot in length, though the largest species grow to nearly two feet. Aside from their big eyes, rabbitfish are easily recognized by their small, rabbit-like mouths. Another recognizable siganid characteristic is strong pelvic fins. These are formed from two thick spines with three softer rays between them. The dorsal fin is made up of 13 spines with 10 rays behind; the anal fin is made up of seven spines with nine rays behind. Rabbitfish fin spines are associated with venom glands (do not touch these fishes, even when netted!). Rabbitfish are most active in the daytime. At night, they tend to hide while they sleep in deep crevasses and caves. While sleeping, they take on a darker and blotchier color pattern that serves as camouflage.

[CFish]

Because rabbitfish are beautiful, hardy and generally peaceful, they make great aquarium pets. However, it's important to feed them a lot of vegetable matter. In the wild, the bulk of their
diet consists of algae. Juveniles tend to consume film and filamentous algae whereas adults tend to consume macroalgae and turf algae.

In captivity, this means providing algae-based flake foods, dried seaweed or, better yet, live macroalgae such as Ulva. Rabbitfish also accept meaty foods including brine shrimp, krill, etc. One great thing about siganids is that they devour unwanted algae that might grow on live rock. Though it appears to be a very rare occurrence, and one that involves only very hungry individuals, it should be noted that rabbitfish have been reported to nip at soft and LPS corals. There are reports that some rabbitfish species may opportunistically prey on small shrimps, though this too appears to be more exceptional than normal.

Overall, rabbitfish are quite undemanding in captivity and do not require any special type of tank or filtration. That being said, they do tend to grow to large sizes (the goldline rabbitfish, for example, can reach a length of 17 inches!). With this in mind, one should only attempt to keep a rabbitfish in a very large aquarium (certainly over 125 gallons) if hoping to house it long-term. Additionally, considering its skittishness and habit of hiding while asleep, a rabbitfish should have its own cozy hiding place in the rockwork.

Similarly, rabbitfish are undemanding with regards to compatibility. While they may squabble with their own kind and should thus be kept singly, they get along with just about everything else. Their venomous spines offer enough protection to keep them with larger fish or predators. Their little mouths and herbivorous tendencies keep them relatively safe to keep with most smaller animals.

The Golden Rabbit

Most rabbitfishes have a color combination of blues or turquoise with golds and yellows. These colors are most often mixed in elaborate spotted or striped patterns. There often is intermediate striping or spotting where stripes break up into spots or where spots merge into stripes. In general, rabbits are stripier as juveniles and become spottier as adults. The goldline rabbitfish is quite similar to S. guttatus (which is slightly spottier) as well as S. insomnis (which is slightly stripier). Like its two cousins, the goldline rabbitfish has a bright, enlarged spot near the tail which presumably functions as an eyespot to fool predators or aggressive competitors. S. lineatus occurs throughout much of the Indo-West Pacific from much of northern Australia to India and southern Japan. Juveniles prefer sheltered habitats such as mangrove forests and seagrass flats whereas adults migrate out towards coral reefs and rocky reefs. It may be found singly, in small groups or in huge congregations.

Now that aquacultured specimens are available, fishkeepers can rest assured that their goldline rabbitfish was produced sustainably (the species is overfished in the wild as a delicacy) and is almost certainly free of external parasites. Even more, it will be hardier and more socialized for life in captivity! With a siganid species now commercially farmed for the aquarium industry– and a gorgeous one at that–we might expect a lot more interest in rabbitfish!

[CFish]

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David says

    July 15, 2019 at 3:25 pm

    These fish look beautiful. Now I need a bigger tank. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Jered Hedrick says

    July 15, 2019 at 3:58 pm

    Beautiful fish! I want one!

    Reply
  3. Andrew says

    July 15, 2019 at 4:07 pm

    Golden Rabbitfish are new to me! Never ever heard about them!

    Reply
  4. wlwahl01 says

    July 15, 2019 at 4:31 pm

    I love rabbitfish! Great utilitarian fish!!!

    Reply
    • Brett says

      July 30, 2019 at 11:57 am

      I had a rabbitfish for awhile and he never wanted to eat algae, just clams

      Reply
  5. Drew says

    July 15, 2019 at 4:35 pm

    Awesome!

    Reply
  6. Jeremy Hunsberger says

    July 15, 2019 at 5:26 pm

    Gonna check them out

    Reply
  7. robert vice says

    July 15, 2019 at 6:22 pm

    I cant have a rabbit fish but there pretty

    Reply
  8. Cole B Presley says

    July 15, 2019 at 6:33 pm

    I have a one spot rabbit fish and love that guy!!

    Reply
  9. Rich Knox says

    July 15, 2019 at 7:30 pm

    Algae Barn always gives the best information. Thanks again for a great blog.

    Reply
  10. Cathy Knox says

    July 15, 2019 at 7:43 pm

    Need one for the new tank!

    Reply
  11. Rico Limon says

    July 15, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    Wooow i never ever heard about them! Nice fish and beautiful.

    Reply
  12. Sean Simkins says

    July 15, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    Dang now I want one lol

    Reply
  13. angelyrojas23 says

    July 15, 2019 at 11:44 pm

    Beauty

    Reply
  14. Michael Wahl says

    July 16, 2019 at 12:39 am

    Cool fish. Never heard about it before.

    Reply
  15. giddetm says

    July 16, 2019 at 3:44 am

    nice

    Reply
  16. giddetm says

    July 16, 2019 at 3:52 am

    beautiful

    Reply
  17. John Key says

    July 16, 2019 at 9:05 am

    I love rabbit fish. I’ve not had a tank large enough for one yet. Maybe one day!

    Reply
  18. Compy Ginorio says

    July 16, 2019 at 9:54 am

    This are beautiful fishes, but some care main concern for smaller shrimp and lps like the writing state isn’t the norm but it can’t be avoided. Definitely a great addition to your reef but it will require a lot of space so a large tank will be needed for this hardworking gorgeous fish.

    Reply
  19. danieoue says

    July 17, 2019 at 6:34 am

    Never ever heard about them interesting will by one

    Reply
  20. Tyler.gore.90 says

    July 17, 2019 at 10:51 am

    Rabbitfish were always that other fish that just didn’t get as much love and attention as som tangs and other primary herbivores. My hesitation would mostly be due to the lack of availability and my own general knowledge of them.

    Reply
  21. Jeff B says

    July 17, 2019 at 11:08 am

    Love this! I’ve been looking into a rabbitfish for help with bubble algae.

    Reply
  22. Scott Chase says

    July 18, 2019 at 9:04 am

    Great fish to help control algae in the reef tank

    Reply
  23. r_nealis says

    July 19, 2019 at 3:55 am

    Rabbit season…Duck season

    Reply
  24. Reeferbuild says

    July 19, 2019 at 3:58 pm

    Nice fish, i would love a rabbit fish

    Reply
  25. Shawn Benton says

    July 19, 2019 at 7:05 pm

    Love to get me a rabbitfish. Good read

    Reply
  26. Daniel Myrick says

    July 21, 2019 at 6:02 pm

    love them!!!

    Reply
  27. Becky says

    July 22, 2019 at 3:33 pm

    Too bad I don’t have a large enough tank.

    Reply
  28. Becky says

    July 22, 2019 at 3:33 pm

    Too bad I don’t have a large enough tank.

    Reply
  29. eric m sear says

    July 22, 2019 at 5:46 pm

    one of my favorite fish in the hobby

    Reply
  30. ERIC M SEAR says

    July 22, 2019 at 5:46 pm

    21877 Drexel St.

    Reply
  31. ERIC M SEAR says

    July 22, 2019 at 5:47 pm

    love these fish

    Reply
  32. eric m sear says

    July 22, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    love this

    Reply
  33. Darell says

    July 22, 2019 at 8:47 pm

    Awesome fish

    Reply
  34. james says

    July 23, 2019 at 1:43 am

    Maybe when i get a bigger tank 🙂

    Reply
  35. hwarrenfeltz says

    July 23, 2019 at 9:33 am

    awesome

    Reply
  36. zadok says

    July 23, 2019 at 9:40 am

    Love learning about new fish and this was very informative. Thanks!

    Reply
  37. Allen says

    July 23, 2019 at 9:41 am

    Awesome fish

    Reply
  38. Allen says

    July 23, 2019 at 9:41 am

    Awesome fish, great colors

    Reply
  39. Allen says

    July 23, 2019 at 9:42 am

    Wabbit

    Reply
  40. Tara Fuller says

    July 23, 2019 at 6:15 pm

    These fish are beautiful!!

    Reply
  41. allison Dale lisney says

    July 24, 2019 at 12:05 pm

    I have never heard of this fish, glad I have now!

    Reply
  42. Melanie says

    July 24, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    I have a gold spotted rabbit fish. He is very large, but gets along great with his tank mates. I have never been stung by his top dorsal fins. Love how they camouflage at night. Definitely an interesting fish to have. I have mine in a 220 gallon tank. The tank has some corals but the rabbitfish hasn’t touched the corals.

    Reply
  43. mamucher says

    July 24, 2019 at 5:53 pm

    Thanks for the info!

    Reply
  44. Steven Lombardi says

    July 24, 2019 at 6:08 pm

    Interesting!

    Reply
  45. Jeremy says

    July 25, 2019 at 7:14 pm

    Very good information well written

    Reply
  46. Ak Reefer says

    July 29, 2019 at 7:27 am

    What an amazing fish.

    Reply
  47. Kelly Tompkins says

    July 29, 2019 at 9:57 am

    I do not have one, but after this article I will definitely look for a juvenile for my tank.

    Reply
  48. Debbie Bybee says

    July 29, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    Beautiful fish. I want one for my new build.

    Reply
  49. Debbie Bybee says

    July 29, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    Beautiful fish. I want one for my new build.

    Reply
  50. Joshua Andersen says

    July 29, 2019 at 9:08 pm

    Love it! Now I need a bigger tank!

    Reply
  51. artaa1988 says

    July 30, 2019 at 11:37 am

    Pretty

    Reply
  52. Matthew Lucero says

    July 30, 2019 at 8:12 pm

    Very good information well written

    Reply
  53. Matthew Lucero says

    July 30, 2019 at 8:12 pm

    very nice and well written

    Reply
  54. Matthew Lucero says

    July 30, 2019 at 8:16 pm

    amazing fish

    Reply
  55. Matthew Lucero says

    July 30, 2019 at 8:17 pm

    great write up

    Reply
  56. Matthew Lucero says

    July 30, 2019 at 8:20 pm

    awesome job

    Reply
  57. Stacey Perry says

    July 30, 2019 at 10:23 pm

    This is a fish I haven’t encountered before! Great information!

    Reply
  58. Tim J says

    July 31, 2019 at 9:38 am

    This is such a great fish addition for algae eating!

    Reply
  59. Bobby Daniels says

    July 31, 2019 at 9:54 am

    love them!

    Reply
  60. CHRIS MATHIS says

    July 31, 2019 at 10:01 am

    Sweet fish

    Reply
  61. Tami says

    August 1, 2019 at 5:07 am

    This might have to be added to my new system once up and running!

    Reply
  62. Alex Lin says

    August 1, 2019 at 7:44 pm

    rabbit fish are my favorite love them so much

    Reply
  63. lawrence zapata says

    August 1, 2019 at 8:33 pm

    I wouldnt want to touch their spines.

    Reply
  64. Eugene Botts says

    August 2, 2019 at 6:27 am

    Interesting

    Reply
  65. Justin says

    August 2, 2019 at 12:35 pm

    What does it mean to rabbit on?

    Reply
  66. Tony Holliday says

    August 2, 2019 at 2:20 pm

    I never even knew these fish existed until I read this.

    Reply

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