[SeaHorsie]

Do very many people here keep boxfish? I can't find very much information about them on the internet. They look like really interesting fish, they are really pretty too IMO.

I have a few questions for anyone who knows about or has boxfish or cowfish.
I am interested in the smaller kinds that get about 6 inches ( not 12inches or more, I can't have a 200 gallon aquarium), like the blue spotted boxfish, or any other smaller species, but lots of these questions would apply to both.

1- Are they extremely delicate fish?

2- About what size of aquarium do they need?

3- How much of a risk is there of them poisoning the aquarium and killing all the fish if they are kept with peaceful fish, and how long would you have to notice before all the fish die?

4- Have you or someone you know had the tank poisoned by boxfish or cowfish?

5- Are they very prone to certain diseases?

6- Are they very messy fish?

7- What smaller boxfish or cowfish make good aquarium fish besides the blue spotted boxfish, if there are any. I read that the blue spotted are more likely to poison the tank than most.

8- If there is anything else I should know about them could you please let me know?

9- About the larger ones- How big do they usually get in captivity, do they grow as large in captivity as they do in the wild.

Thanks, sorry for all the questions, if you could answer any of them, that would be great I couldn't find very much info about them at all, also, if you know of a good website with info on them, let me know 2.

Thanks!

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

Many of your questions can be answered by logging onto sites that sell these fishes and noticing what their maximum size is, the level of care they need, etc. I can add the following:

1. No. But they require top water quality all the time.

2. Depends upon the fish, but those reaching up to and including 6 inches should be in a 125 gallon aquarium or larger.

3. There is always some risk. Tank mates is one concern. A tank poisoning can usually wipe out the marine fish life in a few minutes to an hour depending upon filtration.

4. Yes.

5. No more or less than usual.

6. Not sure what this means. I've never had one clean its own tank.

7. Keep researching.

8. There are some good books on marine fishes. Check out your LFS or online retailers.

9. In general, marine fish never stop growing. It is Ma Nature's way. In captivity they can get as large as they are found in the wild, and larger!

Good luck!

[SeaHorsie]

Thanks!

So a smaller boxfish like the blue boxfish (Ostracion meleagris), grows to a maximum size of about six inches, would need an aquarium that is 125 gallons? Why would they need such a large aquarium, I know fish like tangs need big tanks even though they are not huge, but I was just wondering why a smaller boxfish would need such a large aquarium?

(Oh yea, and by messy, I meant do they produce a large amount of waste like a porcupine puffers or eels?)

[leebca]

While the fish is growing, it should be okay in a smaller aquarium. When the fish nears it full size, the 125 affords this fish the length of thank it should have to comfortably swim. Keeping this fish with as little stress as possible is a help to prevent any poison release.

The larger volume is an additional plus in the fact that the fish, when it dies, will release its poisons. The larger the water volume the less likely a total wipe out.

It's these two reasons I'd support the use of the larger aquarium when the fish gets large.

These fish become family pets fairly easily and will usually recognize their owner and feeder.

Most Boxfishes are omnivores so their waste is in between on your 'messy scale.' Not that messy.