LFS refused to sell me foxface because of aggression?

[donnieb07]

I have two foxfaces, they love each other and are not aggressive to other fish at all

See now this I’ve heard mixed things about

 

[donnieb07]

Folks, most LFS employees are not experts in fish or coral, and in many cases are far less informed than most of the people here. We don’t constitute the average LFS customer though and most of us forget that.

In this case, misinformed but well meaning. You can try to kindly and respectfully offer what you know about such fish or simply thank them and shop elsewhere for it. Just be happy you have an LFS and don’t overestimate the depth of their knowledge or value of their advice.

Definitely agree with this, unfortunately this is the closest store (1hr away) that carry’s salt water supplies and fish. My point was, I was simply not allowed to buy the fish

 

[BeanAnimal]

See now this I’ve heard mixed things about

Every fish is different, some people get lucky and sometimes only until their luck runs out, as nature tends to follow patterns and our “rules” are based on those patterns.

 

[DrkNMighty]

Definitely agree with this, unfortunately this is the closest store (1hr away) that carry’s salt water supplies and fish. My point was, I was simply not allowed to buy the fish

Any chance there is someone else you can speak with at that store?

 

[littlefoxx]

See now this I’ve heard mixed things about

Me too but they are always together no aggression at all

 

[unclejed]

Went to go pick up a foxface from my lfs today, and they refused to sell me one because it would be too aggressive towards my clownfish and I would need to stock my tank with other super aggressive fish? Huh? Guys im not missing something am i lol. I know they can sometimes be territorial but super aggressive?

I don't know why he said that unless he is saving it and didn't want to tell you.I have had on housed with variety of fish some of which were small and meek and never had an issue.
Here is an excerpt from and article;

These are a few excellent tank mates for your Foxface Rabbitfish.

• Triggerfish (we like the Clown and Picasso triggerfish)
• Tangs like the Doctorfish and Chevron tangs since they are slightly bigger
• Wrasses (the Red Coris could be one of them)
• Clownfish
• Angelfish, try the Emperor Angelfish

 

[BeanAnimal]

I don't know why he said

More than likely just well meaning misinformation believed to be true.

 

[Wild1]

Neither have I. I had a foxface with about 6 other peaceful fish. Him and the butterfly were absolute best friends. Didn’t leave each other sides I was very confused

 

[danreef55]

Perhaps there was something about the particular fish otherwise this is certainly not the norm. Foxface are passive for the most part

 

[steveschuerger]

I have a foxy and clowns that are fine together. In my experience, using mine as an example they tend to be be reactive to other fish and a bit of a scaredy cat when startled.

 

[Spare time]

I've never seen an aggressive foxface.

 

[anything prints]

probb just that fish,my clowns are very aggressive

 

[Northern Flicker]

I’ve seen truly psycho Rabbitfish so the LFS employee isn’t technically wrong.

However, the vast majority would not be problematic. Gotta play the odds sometimes, and I’d put money on it being the clowns being meaner!

 

[KrisReef]

Great way to look at it!

I’m pretty sure he has another customer who was willing to pay significantly more for the fish than he was going to sell it to you for.

But seriously, how big is your tank? A foxy face will get big and will be happier in a large tank.

It is very hard to assign motivation but I hope your LFS is more respectable than my crazy mind thinks.

 

[VintageReefer]

I put a fox face in a 75g tank years ago and it was the most aggressive fish I’ve ever had, I had to take him back. Any time I worked on the tank or put my hands in, he would rapidly swim left to right, stir up sand storms and attack me. I understand it’s not the norm…but I’ve experienced it.

 

[VintageReefer]

I put a fox face in a 75g tank years ago and it was the most aggressive fish I’ve ever had, I had to take him back. Any time I worked on the tank or put my hands in, he would rapidly swim left to right, stir up sand storms and attack me. I understand it’s not the norm…but I’ve experienced it.

Maybe it was a wild caught one who wasn’t adjusted to aquarium life and was skittish and scared ? I don’t know but he had to be returned.

 

[wjm6449]

Neither have I. I had a foxface with about 6 other peaceful fish. Him and the butterfly were absolute best friends. Didn’t leave each other sides I was very confused

Fish are weird. I have juvie sailfin tang juvie yellow yang and juvie tomini and they school together.

 

[slingfox]

Temp. 75 gal for a few months until bigger tank gets up

Maybe it was the size of your tank that is the issue? I would not want to house a Foxface in a 75 gallon long term. These fish grow big!

 

[Waters]

What size tank do you have? Maybe this is his way of telling you your tank is too small with the clowns? Maybe he has sold the fish to someone else and this is his way out lol? Just looking at other possibilities. I have never seen an aggressive foxface towards anything than other algae eating fish.

 

[Rigoberto]

Went to go pick up a foxface from my lfs today, and they refused to sell me one because it would be too aggressive towards my clownfish and I would need to stock my tank with other super aggressive fish? Huh? Guys im not missing something am i lol. I know they can sometimes be territorial but super aggressive?

No trying to encourage a fight, but I kept a foxface with a couple of clowns. We called him spike, because "he" would frequently flick up the dorsal as a show of aggression. That was the worst of it. They actually became friends, it seems.