Scribbled Rabbitfish (Siganus doliatus)

The Scribbled Rabbitfish (Siganus doliatus) looks like someone doodled on a masterpiece: fine electric blue scribble lines cover a soft silver body, capped with a bright yellow back and tail and two bold dark bars through the face. Behind the good looks is one of the hardest working algae eaters in the hobby, a hardy grazer that mows down hair algae all day and generally ignores its tankmates. Browse the rest of our saltwater livestock and supplies to build out the crew.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 125 gallons or larger for an adult. It reaches about 10 inches and cruises constantly, so long open swimming space matters.
• Aquascape: plenty of mature rock to graze plus open lanes. It appreciates a shaded ledge or overhang to duck under when startled.
• Water parameters: 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.026, dKH 8 to 12. Hardy once acclimated, but stability is still the goal.
• Feeding: a dedicated herbivore. Offer marine seaweed daily on a clip, like Rod's Leafy Purple Seaweed or SeaVeggies Green, plus spirulina flakes and occasional PE Mysis. A well-fed rabbitfish is far less likely to sample corals.
• Mind the spines: the dorsal and anal spines carry a mild venom. The fish is not aggressive, but never grab it by hand and guide it with a container when moving it.
• Color changes are normal: at night or when stressed it switches to a blotchy camouflage pattern. Full color returns once it relaxes.

Specifications

Compatibility

Rabbitfish are model citizens with almost everything: clownfish, wrasses, gobies, anthias, angels, and even semi-aggressive fish leave them alone, partly because those venomous spines command respect. Keep just one rabbitfish per tank, so pass on pairing it with a Yellow Foxface unless the system is very large. Tangs like the Scopas Tang make excellent grazing partners since the different body shapes keep the peace. In a reef it is trustworthy while well fed, though a hungry one may sample fleshy LPS or zoanthids.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Rod's Food Leafy Purple Seaweed, certified raw seaweed for marine herbivores
• Two Little Fishies SeaVeggies Green Seaweed, an everyday staple green
• VeggieMag Magnetic Seaweed Clip, holds the sheet right at grazing height
• Piscine Energetics PE Mysis, a protein treat a few times a week
• Ocean Nutrition Green Marine Algae, another grazer favorite

FAQ

Is the Scribbled Rabbitfish reef safe?
Mostly yes. A well-fed rabbitfish grazes algae and ignores corals. Keep seaweed available daily; a hungry one may nip fleshy LPS or zoanthids.

Is it really venomous?
Yes, the dorsal and anal spines carry a mild venom similar to a bee sting. It never attacks, the spines are purely defensive. Just avoid hand contact and use a container instead of a net when handling.

Can I keep it with tangs?
Absolutely, and it is one of the best pairings. Rabbitfish and tangs graze the same algae but have different body shapes, so they rarely quarrel. Avoid a second rabbitfish or foxface in the same tank.

Why did its colors fade to brown blotches?
That is normal camouflage. Rabbitfish switch to a mottled pattern at night or when startled, and the bright scribbles return once the fish feels safe.