Common names for the gold spotted rabbitfish include: gold spot rabbitfish, spotted spinefoot, gold spotted spinefoot & gold spot spinefoot.
They have a brown base colour that looks blue in other lights, with a pattern of gold spots covering their entire body, including their eyes. The blue, cloudy looking eye is normal for these fish.
Like other rabbitfish, the gold spotted rabbitfish is a herbivore, and will spend it’s days grazing on algae & seaweed. BUT, they are also known to be coral nippers. Speaking from personal experience, these fish are not suitable to be kept with Zoa’s, Paly’s or any other large polyp coral… once they eat one, you will lose them all. So far, mine seems to have left everything else alone, but I won’t risk it with Zoa’s or Paly’s again. They need to be kept well fed to help prevent any coral consuming.
They are generally considered to be peaceful fish, and they can hold their own against predators and larger fish thanks to the row of venomous spines along its dorsal fin. These fish will not tolerate other rabbitfish, but they are able to be kept in mated pairs.
Tank size should be taken into consideration before purchasing this fish as they are known to grow up to 1 foot in length.
Tank Requirements & Facts
- Minimum tank size: 180 Gallon (680 Litres)
- Prone to disease: No, these are hardy fish
- Beginner Compatible: with caution, they need feeding several times each day.
- Adult Size: 1 foot (30cm)
- Reef Compatible: With extreme caution.
- Predator Tank Compatible: Yes.
- Care Level: Difficult due to their feeding requirements.
- pH: 8.1 to 8.4
- Temperature: 24°C to 27°C
- Preferred Tank Level: Any.
- Lots of hiding places required
- Number to a tank: To be kept singularly or in a pair, but with no other rabbitfish in the tank.
Feeding
Extra care should be taken to ensure this fish gets plenty of food if it is going to be kept in a system that includes corals.
I have found that putting live Macro-Algae into my display has seemingly put a stop to the coral consuming.
- These are herbivores.
- Nori/Sea weed should be offered regularly.
- A varied diet will help with health.
- They are fast eaters.
- Live foods, frozen foods, pellets and flake will all accepted.
Acclimatisation
Place your fish in the bucket and then drip acclimate for about 60 minutes at a rate of 3 drips per second. This should bring the fishes water parameters in line with your tanks parameters.
Once your fish has been drip acclimated, catch the fish with a net and place it gently into your tank. Do not put any of the water the fish originally came in, into your tank.
