Painfully shy Foxface Rabbitfish

MrsHaggis · 02/22/2010, 07:03 AM

We got our FFRB about 2 weeks ago.
When we first saw him in the LFS he wasn't shy at all. We brought him home and after acclimating him put him in the tank. He is freaked out by his own shadow, reflection and just about everything else in the tank.

He sometimes swims around and returns to his beautiful yellow colour but he gets spooked so easy......turns brown and disappears into rock.

I thought he would get over it after a few days/weeks but he is getting more shy if anything.

Will he eventually come out of it???

Zebodog · 02/22/2010, 07:07 AM

It will take a while, but he should. Rabbitfish are spooked quite easily.

Who are his tank mates?

MrsHaggis · 02/22/2010, 07:10 AM

There are two clowns and a 6-line wrasse (who can be quite mean but she has left him alone to be honest). Some crabs and that's it so far. We are keeping away from the tank as much as possible. And we want to add some more corals but we are refraining for now to give him a chance to settle.

When he does come out he is gorgeous but he does get spooked a LOT.......

Zebodog · 02/22/2010, 07:18 AM

Duh! - I could have read your signature. How observant am I?

He should be fine - within a couple of months he'll be showboating at the front of the tank anytime he sees someone.

Make sure he (she?) has a clip of Nori to munch on each day.

MrsHaggis · 02/22/2010, 07:25 AM

We have so much algae right now that he doesn't need a nori sheet yet. All different kinds - he nibbles all day long!!

He won't eat any frozen food - too shy to come out I think!!

Zebodog · 02/22/2010, 07:29 AM

That's good that he's grazing.

Depending on the type of algae, it may not provide much in the way of nutritional value for him, especially if he isn't eating much else.

tibob32 · 02/22/2010, 07:40 AM

mine is always hiding unless he's got a similar sized mate swimming around. He doesn't seem to feel at ease when by himself. I'd suggest adding a bigger fish with him (tang perhaps?) and he'll come out more. That being said they're very easily scared. Mine turns white when the MHs come on and a sudden move sends him in the rockwork

02/22/2010, 07:03 AM	#1
MrsHaggis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St Louis, France Posts: 675	Painfully shy Foxface Rabbitfish We got our FFRB about 2 weeks ago. When we first saw him in the LFS he wasn't shy at all. We brought him home and after acclimating him put him in the tank. He is freaked out by his own shadow, reflection and just about everything else in the tank. He sometimes swims around and returns to his beautiful yellow colour but he gets spooked so easy......turns brown and disappears into rock. I thought he would get over it after a few days/weeks but he is getting more shy if anything. Will he eventually come out of it??? __________________ Nothing scarier than a clown!! ----------------------------- 1 ClownFish 1 SixLine Wrasse 1 Foxface Rabbitfish Mushrooms Long Polyp Leather Green Anchor Coral Zoanthids Trumpet Coral Goniopora Current Tank Info: 360 litre (95 US Gallons), Tunze DOC Skimmer 9010, Lights: Metal Halide 250 Watt and 2x24 Watt Moon Lights, Tunze MultiController 7095

02/22/2010, 07:10 AM	#3
MrsHaggis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St Louis, France Posts: 675	There are two clowns and a 6-line wrasse (who can be quite mean but she has left him alone to be honest). Some crabs and that's it so far. We are keeping away from the tank as much as possible. And we want to add some more corals but we are refraining for now to give him a chance to settle. When he does come out he is gorgeous but he does get spooked a LOT....... __________________ Nothing scarier than a clown!! ----------------------------- 1 ClownFish 1 SixLine Wrasse 1 Foxface Rabbitfish Mushrooms Long Polyp Leather Green Anchor Coral Zoanthids Trumpet Coral Goniopora Current Tank Info: 360 litre (95 US Gallons), Tunze DOC Skimmer 9010, Lights: Metal Halide 250 Watt and 2x24 Watt Moon Lights, Tunze MultiController 7095

02/22/2010, 07:25 AM	#5
MrsHaggis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St Louis, France Posts: 675	We have so much algae right now that he doesn't need a nori sheet yet. All different kinds - he nibbles all day long!! He won't eat any frozen food - too shy to come out I think!! __________________ Nothing scarier than a clown!! ----------------------------- 1 ClownFish 1 SixLine Wrasse 1 Foxface Rabbitfish Mushrooms Long Polyp Leather Green Anchor Coral Zoanthids Trumpet Coral Goniopora Current Tank Info: 360 litre (95 US Gallons), Tunze DOC Skimmer 9010, Lights: Metal Halide 250 Watt and 2x24 Watt Moon Lights, Tunze MultiController 7095

02/22/2010, 07:07 AM	#2
Zebodog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 692	It will take a while, but he should. Rabbitfish are spooked quite easily. Who are his tank mates?

02/22/2010, 07:18 AM	#4
Zebodog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 692	Duh! - I could have read your signature. How observant am I? He should be fine - within a couple of months he'll be showboating at the front of the tank anytime he sees someone. Make sure he (she?) has a clip of Nori to munch on each day.

02/22/2010, 07:29 AM	#6
Zebodog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 692	That's good that he's grazing. Depending on the type of algae, it may not provide much in the way of nutritional value for him, especially if he isn't eating much else.

02/22/2010, 07:40 AM	#7
tibob32 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 550	mine is always hiding unless he's got a similar sized mate swimming around. He doesn't seem to feel at ease when by himself. I'd suggest adding a bigger fish with him (tang perhaps?) and he'll come out more. That being said they're very easily scared. Mine turns white when the MHs come on and a sudden move sends him in the rockwork