Foxface gulping air

jbd · Jul 22, 2019

I have a Foxface Rabbitfish in my 30 gal tank and I have had it for several years. Besides fragged coral, the only other intentional inhabitant is a cleaner shrimp. I noticed he has been gulping air at the surface of the tank. It looks like it is trying to eat the flake food I feed it, but there is no food left. Does it need more air? Or is it just doing some neurotic thing because he's in a tank?

Katrina71 · Jul 22, 2019

Do you have an air stone you could drop in?

mort · Jul 22, 2019

I've seen tangs do the same thing and it is normally because they are trying to eat the protein film that sometimes forms on the waters surface.

So I'd check for oxygen levels but there might be another reason.

Jesterrace · Jul 22, 2019

Is he doing bubble blowing? If so then that is perfectly normal for a Foxface, just a goofy characteristic for them. BTW 30 gallons is too small for any Foxface.

jbd · Jul 22, 2019

Katrina71 said:
Do you have an air stone you could drop in?

No, but I could get one. Do you use one in your tank?

Katrina71 · Jul 22, 2019

jbd said:
No, but I could get one. Do you use one in your tank?

If something is off with my little guys, yes.

Katrina71 · Jul 22, 2019

It's a band-aid for a root cause though.

jbd · Jul 27, 2019

Katrina71 said:
It's a band-aid for a root cause though.

What would be the root cause?

Katrina71 · Jul 27, 2019

jbd said:
What would be the root cause?

If it is something other than normal behavior, it could be a number of things. Can you post some pics? Is your water cloudy? Does he look healthy otherwise? What are your parameters?

jbd · Jul 29, 2019

Katrina71 said:
If it is something other than normal behavior, it could be a number of things. Can you post some pics? Is your water cloudy? Does he look healthy otherwise? What are your parameters?

Foxface is active, eating well, doing all the normal fishy things and has the tank all to itself. I run low tech LPS systems, and Foxy is in my 28 gal frag tank. No recent additions or changes. Alk at 8, Ca and Mag are nominal. I don't test for anything else. 5 gal water change every week.

mattzang · Jul 29, 2019

it's probably spy hopping to see if there's a larger tank nearby it could jump to

Marco S · Jul 30, 2019

I have a 6" Foxface in a 200 gallon tank that just started blowing bubbles in the corners of the tank a few weeks ago. I know this is a breeding behavior for freshwater Bettas, so I wasn't too concerned, but now you have me interested. I am following to see what others say...

minus9 · Jul 30, 2019

They're actually skimming the surface of the water for algae. Not all do it, but I've seen plenty do it, especially my one spot. If they were circling the return or a powerhead (or swimming directly into flow), then I would be concerned a little, but then again, fish do weird things. Just make sure they have plenty of algae (nori) to graze on.
Also, as mentioned above, 28 gallons for 3 years isn't the best situation for this fish. It looks healthy to me, but would benefit from a much larger tank.

Katrina71 · Jul 30, 2019

Maybe it just wants attention? I have fish that do this when I'm in front of the tank. They associate me with feeding. Yes, mine are spoiled.

TRIGGER SHARKFIST · Jul 30, 2019

My one spot Foxface does it and has always done it. (over a year)
He's totally healthy.

I believe some fish even gulp air to clean gills after eating. Regal tangs do this a lot.
Mine will hit the surface then expel the air through the gills and repeat.