BOX FISH

Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons Care Level: Expert Only Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: With Caution Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025 Max. Size: 10" Color Form: Black, Blue, Orange, White Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies Diet: Omnivore Compatibility: View Chart Origin: Hawaii, Maldives Family: Ostraciidae

OVER VIEW:

The Boxfish is also referred to as the Spotted Boxfish, Blue Boxfish, Black Boxfish, or Whitespotted Boxfish. The various names are due to the dimorphic appearance of the male and female. The male is the more colorful of the two, with a vibrant blue body and a wide black swath covering the top of the body like a cap. The entire body is speckled with dots, white on black and black on blue while a thin horizontal stripe of orange adorns the tail. The female is entirely black with white dots.

This is a very difficult fish to keep in the aquarium setting by any other than the most experienced aquarist. It should have a minimum of a 50 gallon tank. Use caution if placing the Boxfish in a reef tank as they will often nibble at tubeworms. When stressed, the Boxfish releases a poisonous substance, called ostracitoxin, from its mucous glands which will kill other fish in the tank very quickly.

Very little success has been achieved in breeding these fish in an aquarium. When first introduced, the Boxfish can be fed a diet of live brine shrimp or bloodworms. After acclimatization, chopped squid, clams, mussels, and herbivore preparations can be fed.

Approximate Purchase Size: Small Female: 1" to 2"; Medium Female: 2" to 3; Large Female: 3" to 5"; Male: 3" to 4"