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Boxfish and Cowfish

Boxfish and Cowfish Care Sheet

boxfish and cowfish care sheet

This care sheet covers a variety of boxfish and cowfish species, including:

  • Yellow boxfish
  • Spotted boxfish
  • Longhorn cowfish
  • Thornback cowfish
  • Reticulate boxfish

 

Overview

Scientific names: Ostracion cubicus, Ostacion meleagris, Lactoria cornuta, Lactoria fornasini, Ostracion solorense.

Boxfish and Ccowfish have unique, armor- plated, box-like shaped bodies. These relatives ofto puffer fish, filefish and trunkfish, have an inquisitive personality and are  slow impressively manoeuvrable  swimmers, despite their lack of an aerodynamic body.   with inquisitive personalities Due to their fragile nature and potential toxicity, they are recommended for experienced aquarists only only due to their fragile nature and potential toxicity. When stressed, these fish have been known to release toxins a poison—called pahutoxin—into the water  from their mucous glands , called pahutoxin, into the water that is potentially could harmful to its their tank mates.

 

Typical appearance and behavior

  • Can release a toxin when touched or stressed
  • Very personable
  • Some boxfish are known to make humming sounds to communicate
  • While they are relatives of pufferfish and look similar to them,boxfish and cowfish do not puff up
  • Cowfish are spiky versions of boxfish

 

Characteristics

Care Difficulty Advanced
Average Life Span Up to 8+ years,; dependsing on the species
Average Adult Size 5-20 inches long, depending on the species
Diet Omnivore
Minimum Habitat Size 125+ gallons, depending on the species
Water Temperature 74-80°F, depending on the species, as some may prefer temperatures outside these parameters
Specific Gravity 1.020-1.025

 

Habitat

Habitat size

Keep boxfish and cowfish in an appropriately sized aquarium. A minimum of 125 gallons, depending on the adult size of the species, is recommended.

 

Building your habitat

Water health

  • Provide proper filtration to ensure optimal water quality to help maintain health.Slow to moderate water circulation should be provided to mimic water currents and high oxygen levels found in the boxfish and cowfish’s natural habitat. Stable water quality (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) and water temperature are critical to the health of aquatic life. If you are unsure of your water quality, bring a sample to Petco for free testing. The addition of a protein skimmer can aid with maintaining great water quality and high dissolved oxygen levels. An aquatic heater should be used to stabilize water temperature, ensuring it does not fluctuate more than +/-2 degrees in a 24-hour period. The specific gravity should remain stable. Do not allow specific gravity to fluctuate more than +/-0.001 in a 24-hour period

Décor

  • Provide plenty of substrate, rocks and hiding places as well as ample room for swimming
  • The addition of live rock can provide a natural food source for boxfish and cowfish to feed from

 

Feeding

A well-balanced omnivorous boxfish and cowfish diet consists of:

  • Flakes, pellets, freeze-dried or frozen food
  • A varied diet to ensure proper nutritional balance

Things to remember when feeding your boxfish or cowfish:

  • Depending on the species and size, feed small amounts two to three times daily, no more than fish will eat in 1 to 2 minutes
  • Thaw frozen food before feeding
  • Ensure proper consumption, and remember that juvenile fish often lose out to faster fish
  • Don't offer floating food, as swallowing air can cause buoyancy issues

 

Boxfish and cowfish care

Water care: Maintaining great water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration is important to help keep your boxfish and cowfish healthy

  • Daily: Check filter, water temperature and other equipment
  • Weekly: Test water quality at least once a week
  • Weekly to monthly: Change 10 to 25% of the total volume of water every two to four weeks or as needed; change filter media monthly

Avoid overcrowding, which is a major cause of stress and disease

 

Supplies

 

Aquarium mates

May be compatible with some docile species such as:

  • Clownfish
  • Fire/dartfish
  • Gobies
  • Dragonets
  • Cardinalfish
  • Reef-safe wrasses

Because boxfish and cowfish may release deadly toxins when stressed, do not keep with aggressive fish

Not recommended for reef tanks

 

Health

Signs of a healthy boxfish and cowfish

  • Clear eyes
  • Healthy appetite
  • Fins completely intact and undamaged
  • Bright, even coloring
  • Free of disease and parasites

 

Red flags (If you notice any of these signs, contact your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian.)

  • Loss of color or appetite
  • Spots or fungus on body or mouth
  • Erratic swimming
  • Labored respiration
  • Cloudy eyes
  • Frayed fins
  • Weight loss
  • Listlessness

 

Common health issues

Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action
Health IssueFin rot Symptoms or CausesFrayed or disintegrating fins; the base of the fins usually reddens. Suggested ActionImprove water quality; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment.
Health IssueMarine ich or marine velvet Symptoms or CausesCysts on fins, gills and skin; rapid breathing; excess skin mucus or pale skin; fish rubs against hard objects or swims erratically. Suggested ActionQuarantine fish immediately and use a commercial parasite remedy; complete a water change, freshwater dips can help dislodge the parasites; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment.
Health IssueBacterial infections Symptoms or CausesCloudy eyes, open sores and/or reddening of the skin. Suggested ActionImprove water quality; add freshwater aquarium salt; use a commercial antibacterial remedy as directed; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment
Health IssueViral infection (lymphocystis) Symptoms or CausesWhite nodule growths on fins or body. Suggested ActionImprove water quality; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment.

 

FAQs

  • What do boxfish eat? Boxfish are omnivores and can eat a variety of flakes, pellets, and freeze-dried and frozen food. Be sure the food you offer sinks to help prevent boxfish from swallowing air, which can cause buoyancy issues.
  • How big do boxfish get? The size of adult boxfish will vary by species, with an average size between 5 and 20 inches.
  • How large is a boxfish? The size of adult boxfish will vary by species, with an average size between 5 and 20 inches.
  • How long do boxfish live? Boxfish can live up to 8+ years with proper care
  • How long do cowfish live? Cowfish can live up to 8+ years with proper care
  • What do cowfish eat? Cowfish are omnivores and can eat a variety of flakes, pellets, and freeze-dried and frozen diets. Be sure the food you offer sinks to help prevent cowfish from swallowing, air which can cause buoyancy issues.

 

 

 

Notes and resources

Ask a Pet Care Center associate about Petco's selection of products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.

Because all aquatic life are potential carriers of infectious diseases such as atypical mycobacterium and salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your aquatic life or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease.

Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physician before purchasing or caring for aquatic life and should consider not having aquatic life as a pet.

Go to cdc.gov/healthypets for more information about aquatic life and disease.

 

The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, please contact your veterinarian as appropriate.

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