The rabbitfishes of the genus Siganus are well known to marine aquarists. They are beautiful animals that usually grow to 15-30 cm in length and eat mainly vegetable food. Until now no freshwater species of the genus was known, only Siganus vermicularis is regularly found as juvenile in the brackish water of river mouths.
Now, for the first time, we have been able to import a rabbitfish species from the only freshwater lake in the Easter Islands in the Pacific Ocean – Hare Lake – where it appears to be fully adapted to freshwater life due to geographic isolation. The species was recently scientifically described as Siganus iocatus. Our, about 15 cm long specimens are already sexually mature and even spawned in our fishhause. Interestingly, the eggs were colorful, there were red, yellow, blue and green eggs, some even had spots and squiggles.
For our customers: the animals have code 666666 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
