FOX FACE RABBIT FISH LAYING ON BOTTOM

[Isaac Alves]

I've owned a foxface for a couple years now and I read a few things prior and since ---- this species is naturally shy, and they will take some time to become accustomed to you. But once they are accustomed they are very very responsive to their owners. It's a rewarding species to keep. Mine easts from my hand now...I don't purposely do it but she'll come to me and take the food as I place it in the tank — Scares me since she will throw her spikes if another fish startles her.

Lastly, even though they are considered omnivores, and will eat like pigs, you must provide enough seaweed-based food in their diet.

Anyways, she should be in a QT anyways until she's properly treated for worms, parasites and is eating enough.

 

[Kelsey Fletcher]

I've owned a foxface for a couple years now and I read a few things prior and since ---- this species is naturally shy, and they will take some time to become accustomed to you. But once they are accustomed they are very very responsive to their owners. It's a rewarding species to keep. Mine easts from my hand now...I don't purposely do it but she'll come to me and take the food as I place it in the tank — Scares me since she will throw her spikes if another fish startles her.

Lastly, even though they are considered omnivores, and will eat like pigs, you must provide enough seaweed-based food in their diet.

Anyways, she should be in a QT anyways until she's properly treated for worms, parasites and is eating enough.

He ended up not making it. I went to get my water tested and there was nothing bad in it other than the slightest nitrates which they said shouldn't have done anything to it. They said there is no explanation they can think of other than I thought about it and realized it could have been stress because of the amount of flow in the tank. I have a very high flow in my tank because I like to keep a lot of oxygen going through it so I don't get any gas attacks. He could've been so stressed about that he wouldn't eat and come out and just hated it. Although, I physically saw him eat a few times throughout the week so idk. very weird and confusing! but I just got a butterfly to take his place so hopefully, he'll do better. He's already super chill in the tank and really loves picking at the live rock I have in there. The coral beauty angel hates his guts though and won't let him behind the rock lol. They'll adjust I'm sure though. Thanks for all the help regardless of how it ended!!

 

[Nick30G]

Fox Faces and Butterflys are way to big for a 55 gallon. They are going to stress out and die again

 

[Kelsey Fletcher]

Fox Faces and Butterflys are way to big for a 55 gallon. They are going to stress out and die again

According to saltwater tank experts I have been personally talking to and every site you can buy them on they're not lol!!

 

[EmdeReef]

According to saltwater tank experts I have been personally talking to and every site you can buy them on they're not lol!!

You may want to consider slowing down. After a fish dies it's always advisable to wait and make sure there's nothing wrong with the tank and there are many problems you may not be able to test for such as aggression, rusting equipment etc. While your coral beauty may get along with the butterfly at some point, the two fish may also fight to death. Keep in mind that they have nowhere to run from the bully in your tank.

As far as advice on tank size and suitable fish, you should start off by looking at Liveaquaria as a general guideline and then consider your other fish and other parameters. Always a good idea to ask on this forum for experience before getting a fish.

Quarantine is another thing you may want to consider. Unfortunately, there are too many sick fish sold in this hobby. Introducing velvet, ich, and many other pests may require you to run your tank fallow for months...Here's a link: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-quarantine.189815/

Good luck!

 

[Kelsey Fletcher]

You may want to consider slowing down. After a fish dies it's always advisable to wait and make sure there's nothing wrong with the tank and there are many problems you may not be able to test for such as aggression, rusting equipment etc. While your coral beauty may get along with the butterfly at some point, the two fish may also fight to death. Keep in mind that they have nowhere to run from the bully in your tank.

As far as advice on tank size and suitable fish, you should start off by looking at Liveaquaria as a general guideline and then consider your other fish and other parameters. Always a good idea to ask on this forum for experience before getting a fish.

Quarantine is another thing you may want to consider. Unfortunately, there are too many sick fish sold in this hobby. Introducing velvet, ich, and many other pests may require you to run your tank fallow for months...Here's a link: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-quarantine.189815/

Good luck!

LiveAquaria is precisely where I go for all of my fish and learning about different fish and what I want in my tank. Personally, a QT tank is veryyy expensive that may end up being used for a month or two total and then put away for years. I think I will take my chances with the QT for my tank for now. later when its more established and I have more to lose I will definitely be getting one but for now, I am not int in that budget.

 

[Isaac Alves]

I'm disheartened for the loss of the animal, but also because I think the animal could have survived if she was correctly quarantined. A young Foxface should have had time to properly put on weight, let alone treated for health issues.

A foxface lo and a butterfly (like the copperband variety) will grow to be 7-9" inches long. And the Foxface in particular can become quite hefty. A 55 gallon can only be temporary --- a 125+ gallon display well be required in a couple years. Both these animal species are grazers and are built to swim.


Cost to quarantine doesn't have to be expensive. Assume you don't QT any fish but you've introduced ich or marine velvet into your tank. You may not see the issue for months but have spent a few hundred dollars on fish, shipping costs, food, saltwater, electricity, equipment, etc. Then something happens that triggers an outbreak because of stress from a temperature drop, aggressive fish, ph spike, bacterial bloom...

Read that link from an earlier post on setting up a QT.

All you need is a PVC elbow, a 10 gallon Aqueon tank, a cheap air pump, a cheap heater, a cheap thermometer, a sponge filter, an ammonia badge, API quickstart --- of course top off water and fresh saltwater. All of this would cost you less than $60.

But this gives you the opp to watch your fish, understand the behavior, and let the animal get to know you. You can actually care for the creature properly, and really help the animal thrive ensuring a better chance for a long life. This process can be extremely rewarding for an aquarist.

In any case, read everything on Reef2Reef. There's years of experience and info throughout this forum.

Do right for the creatures, build good husbandry skills, and good luck.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

LiveAquaria is precisely where I go for all of my fish and learning about different fish and what I want in my tank. Personally, a QT tank is veryyy expensive that may end up being used for a month or two total and then put away for years. I think I will take my chances with the QT for my tank for now. later when its more established and I have more to lose I will definitely be getting one but for now, I am not int in that budget.

FYI Live Aquaria lists minimum tank size for a Foxface Lo as 125 gallons. Your 55 gallon tank is way to small to house one long term. While a QT does have some up front costs, it will also save you a great deal of money and will prevent a lot of fish death so is a win win in the long run. I would strongly suggest setting up a QT, and purchasing appropriate fish for your size tank at a nice slow pace. Patience is one of the most important attributes to any good reefer...

https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/687/foxface-lo?pcatid=687&c=15+1465+687

 

[Aaron-A2]

As someone who has been fallow for 75 of 76 days, QT YO FISH! Nothing worse than spending 1/5th of a year staring at a tank with nothing but coral....

Ok, I say "nothing but coral", but to be fair I've enjoyed my coral only tank very much lol.