Blue-lined rabbitfish (Siganus doliatus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Barred spinefoot, Scribbled rabbitfish, Pencil-streaked rabbitfish, Two-barred rabbitfish, Barred Spanish mackerel
Family
Siganidae (rabbitfishes)
Origin
Western Pacific: eastern Indonesia to Palau and Kosrae, south to northern Australia and Tonga; seaward reefs and coral-rich lagoons at 2–15 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
25 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
500 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

Tank: an active grazer that needs open swimming room and rockwork to browse; an estimated minimum of about 500 litres for one adult (our estimate from its 25 cm adult size). Water: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, salinity SG 1.023–1.026. These are general marine aquarium figures for a tropical species, not species-specific values from the sources. Keep nitrate low and oxygen high. Behaviour: young fish school, then pair off at about 7 cm. Wild pairs stay together most of the time, one feeding while the other keeps watch; around a quarter of pairs are same-sex. Usually peaceful with other fish. Safety: the fin spines carry venom glands. A sting is painful but rarely dangerous. Net carefully, never hold the fish by hand, and get medical advice if stung. Conservation: IUCN Least Concern. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siganusdoliatus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A grazing herbivore that eats algae in the wild. In the aquarium offer plenty of marine algae (nori sheets on a clip, macroalgae) and a quality herbivore flake or pellet, several small feeds a day, with some frozen mysis or similar for variety.

Breeding

Not described in the sources beyond pair-bonding, which is thought to be linked to reproduction. Not known to be bred by hobbyists.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful with most community reef fish of similar size, though it may squabble with other rabbitfish unless kept as an established pair. Listed as reef safe with caution: it is kept for algae grazing, but hungry fish may nip at some soft corals, zoanthids and fleshy LPS corals, so keep it well fed with algae.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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