Barred rabbitfish

The barred rabbitfish is a reef fish (family Siganidae) from the western Pacific, found on coral reefs and lagoons, often in pairs. It has a deep, laterally compressed body patterned with blue and yellow lines and bars, and it carries venomous spines in its fins that can deliver a painful sting. It is a generally peaceful, active grazer that does well singly or as a compatible pair and mixes with most community reef fish. A spacious reef aquarium with plenty of live rock provides the algae grazing it needs. It is largely herbivorous, feeding on algae, and its diet should be rich in marine algae, nori, and spirulina, supplemented with some prepared foods; it helps control nuisance algae. It is usually reef-safe, though it may nibble some soft corals if underfed. Care must be taken when handling because of its venomous spines. It suits intermediate marine keepers.