Your experience with Foxface

[Doug]

Originally Posted by bulletsworld

In all the years I've been in the hobby, I have yet to get a Foxface.
*Did you have them in a reef?
*Did they hide a lot? Did it eat Nori?
*Did you have the problem with it fading in color?
*Have you ever got a sting? What was your reactions?
*Did you find the fish to be hardy?
*What are the cons of this fish you found?
Lee

* Mine was a model citizen of my mixed reef. It had several fleshy lps, that they never bothered, nor the clams.

*It did scurry for cover when easily scared but most times was in the open with the tangs. The two I owned, {sold because of downsize}, ate like pigs. They would go through a nori sheet like nothing and liked spirolina flakes and the usual frozens.

*I also must have been lucky, as both were algae eating machines, including bubble algae.

*No colour fade, but then I never owned them for more than a year.

*I was never stung but always careful. Perhaps if one has problems with bee stings, etc. they should be very wary. I,ve read several cases like mentioned here, where there was no problems, then some with lots of pain in the bite area and then even some that required hospital attention. Like any fish/invert, that has venom in its spines, owners should be well aware before purchase.

*Mine were hardy in the time I owned them, but I have heard they can have shipping problems when larger. I know the second one I owned, never made the 4hr. transfer to a friends. And it was well packed in a large container of water but just to much stress I imagine. I would look for a smaller one.
Plus if they are similar to tangs and large ones added to an established tank, would have acceptance trouble from other larger similar fish.
I have seen some pretty large rabbitfish, so size should be considered but the common foxface seems to be not so bad. As Deb mentioned though, even they can get a decent size and a 90g type tank would be near the bottom limit for a full grown adult.

Hope some of this helps. Although my experience was limited, I have read many threads on them and this seems to be the common consensus.