Scribbled Rabbit Fish

Scribbled Rabbitfish - Premium Algae Control with Stunning Patterns

The Scribbled Rabbitfish (Siganus doliatus) is a beautiful and highly effective algae-eating fish that combines striking appearance with exceptional utility. Named for the intricate scribbled patterns that cover its body, this hardy rabbitfish is one of the best natural solutions for controlling nuisance algae in reef and fish-only aquariums. Its voracious appetite for hair algae, bubble algae, and other problem algae makes it an invaluable member of any cleanup crew.

Key Features:

• Intricate Scribbled Pattern: Stunning blue and gold scribbled markings create a unique, hand-painted appearance
• Exceptional Algae Control: Voracious grazer that consumes hair algae, bubble algae, and other nuisance algae
• Hardy & Adaptable: Tolerant of varying water conditions and easy to acclimate
• Peaceful Temperament: Generally peaceful with other fish species
• Active Swimmer: Constantly on the move, grazing throughout the aquarium
• Reef Compatible: Generally safe with most corals, though may occasionally nip at certain soft corals or LPS

Care Requirements:

Tank Size: Minimum 75 gallons; 100+ gallons recommended for adult specimens
Diet: Herbivore - primarily grazes on algae but should be supplemented with nori, spirulina, and herbivore pellets
Temperament: Peaceful with most species; may be territorial with other rabbitfish
Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate - easy to care for with proper handling precautions
Adult Size: Can reach 8-10 inches in length

⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING - Venomous Spines:

The Scribbled Rabbitfish has venomous dorsal and anal spines that can deliver a painful sting. While not life-threatening to most people, stings can cause significant pain, swelling, and discomfort lasting several hours. Always exercise extreme caution when working in the aquarium:

• Never handle rabbitfish with bare hands
• Use nets carefully and be aware of the fish's location during maintenance
• Keep hands away from the fish when cleaning or rearranging the tank
• If stung, immerse the affected area in hot water (as hot as tolerable) and seek medical attention if symptoms are severe
• Inform anyone who works on your aquarium about the presence of venomous fish

Algae Control Benefits:

The Scribbled Rabbitfish is one of the most effective natural algae controllers available to reef keepers. It readily consumes:

• Hair algae (including difficult-to-control varieties)
• Bubble algae (Valonia)
• Film algae and diatoms
• Some species of macroalgae

A single Scribbled Rabbitfish can make a dramatic difference in tanks struggling with algae blooms, often clearing visible algae within weeks when combined with proper water quality management.

Feeding & Nutrition:

While Scribbled Rabbitfish are excellent algae grazers, they require supplemental feeding to maintain optimal health, especially in tanks with limited natural algae growth. Offer nori sheets (clipped to the tank), spirulina flakes, herbivore pellets, and occasional blanched vegetables like zucchini or broccoli. Feed daily to ensure complete nutrition and prevent the fish from nipping at corals out of hunger.

Reef Compatibility:

Scribbled Rabbitfish are generally reef safe and won't harm most corals. However, hungry specimens may occasionally nip at certain soft corals (like zoanthids) or fleshy LPS corals. This behavior is usually prevented by ensuring the fish is well-fed with plenty of algae and supplemental herbivore foods. Most reef keepers successfully keep rabbitfish with corals without issues.

Behavior & Compatibility:

Scribbled Rabbitfish are active, peaceful fish that spend their days constantly grazing throughout the aquarium. They're generally compatible with most community fish but may show aggression toward other rabbitfish unless introduced simultaneously as a pair. They're excellent tank mates for tangs, angelfish, clownfish, and other peaceful to semi-aggressive species.

Color Changes:

Rabbitfish can change their coloration based on mood, time of day, and stress levels. At night or when resting, they may display mottled or darker coloration. This is completely normal behavior and the vibrant scribbled pattern will return during active periods.

Our Scribbled Rabbitfish are carefully selected, quarantined, and eating a variety of foods before shipment. Each fish is backed by our live arrival guarantee, ensuring your new algae-eating powerhouse arrives healthy and ready to get to work in your aquarium.