are cowfish reef safe?

[saltyfishdude]

anyone?
I just got a small "thornback" cowfish and I was wondering if I should FOWLR or REEF him. Any suggestions? Advice?

right now he is in QT, I will have a pic soon.....

 

[SptfireXIV]

There's really not enough data to say one way or the other. What kind of tankmates would he have in each tank?

 

[alan214]

It will likely eat any inverts so as long as you don't want any shrimp, crabs, etc, you may be okay reef-wise.

 

[cristhiam]

50/50, mine is so far 1 year old longhorn cowfish, all fish act different mine is in a mixed reef with sps, clams, softies and LPS and lot's of clean up crew doesn't bother anything, at least they are easy to catch if they start picking at stuff.
Here are some pictures of my 125 where he is in.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1094171

 

[mcrist]

I think a cowfish can be reef safe as long as you can tolerate it releasing its toxin one day. They are not very good swimmers so the tank should be on the calmer end of most reef tanks. It would also be a good idea to keep it with peaceful tank mates.

 

[nsreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9709151#post9709151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcrist
I think a cowfish can be reef safe as long as you can tolerate it releasing its toxin one day. They are not very good swimmers so the tank should be on the calmer end of most reef tanks. It would also be a good idea to keep it with peaceful tank mates.

I think that the actual risk of this is quite low. They will only release it if extremely traumatized. And usually even if they die it still won't release.

 

[cristhiam]

That it's true there are not a lot of cases of it releasing the toxins, and of what I read it affects fish not corals. It's allways a good idea of running carbon with this species.

 

[clsanchez77]

No idea myself but the person in this thread has one: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1094171

 

[mcrist]

Yes I agree put you never know. As soon as you think it will never happen thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s when it does. I am a strong believer in Murphyââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s Law.

 

[strendo]

I've got a 7" cowfish that hasn't bothered any of my corals or inverts. Very cool fish

 

[davidryder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9707453#post9707453 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cristhiam
50/50, mine is so far 1 year old longhorn cowfish, all fish act different mine is in a mixed reef with sps, clams, softies and LPS and lot's of clean up crew doesn't bother anything, at least they are easy to catch if they start picking at stuff.
Here are some pictures of my 125 where he is in.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1094171

Is that red turf algae and coralline encrusting the back wall of the tank?

 

[cristhiam]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9712765#post9712765 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davidryder
Is that red turf algae and coralline encrusting the back wall of the tank?

lol, no that the color of my living room.

 

[cristhiam]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9709571#post9709571 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clsanchez77
No idea myself but the person in this thread has one: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1094171

That's my tank

 

[davidryder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9712802#post9712802 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cristhiam
lol, no that the color of my living room.

So are you saying you live on the wall of the tank?