Blue Boxfish care?

[TheAngelfish]

I'm might upgrade my tank and a blue box fish is a fish i want to add. I want to know as all a really know from google searches is the they are poisonous when stressed or dies and get large. Will my angels be a problem or will they just ignore the fish. And what should i expect if i do get one and what are the problems that i might face when QT or adding to DT? Any info the will help me care for the fish will help.

 

[sc50964]

Blue Boxfish care?

I'm might upgrade my tank and a blue box fish is a fish i want to add. I want to know as all a really know from google searches is the they are poisonous when stressed or dies and get large. Will my angels be a problem or will they just ignore the fish. And what should i expect if i do get one and what are the problems that i might face when QT or adding to DT? Any info the will help me care for the fish will help.

I've kept all kinds of cow and box fish for the past 8 yrs, and currently owe a blue box fish. It needs its own tank. Otherwise, it's just a matter of time as to when he will nuke the tank. My past cow and box fish all lived for about a year at a time, but all ultimately nuked the entire tank due to sudden stress. My current boxfish lives alone and it's been nearly 1.5 yrs. they especially do very poorly with aggressive and bold fish like tangs and angels. They aren't good swimmers and will not be able to compete for food. They won't stand a chance being intimidated by angels. DONT DO IT, unless you want to learn it the hard way like me.

 

[Betta132]

These little dudes are timid and hide in EVERYTHING, even in the wild. They're best kept on their own, partially so nobody can scare them, partially so you don't lose anything else when (not if) they poison the tank.

 

[TheAngelfish]

When kept alone, how easy are they to care for? Like if it a nightmare or easy once established.

 

[sc50964]

When kept alone, how easy are they to care for? Like if it a nightmare or easy once established.

I've had way more success in keeping smaller ones (2" to 3") than larger ones. They do get ich rather easily, and don't react to copper and fresh water dips well. To me, it depends on how lucky you are. If I were you, the reward would be much greater to get a Whitley boxfish. Much more rare and stunning IMO.

 

[TheAngelfish]

I've had way more success in keeping smaller ones (2" to 3") than larger ones. They do get ich rather easily, and don't react to copper and fresh water dips well. To me, it depends on how lucky you are. If I were you, the reward would be much greater to get a Whitley boxfish. Much more rare and stunning IMO.

Look it up, I like it but I'll stick with trying a blue because of price tag, plus i'll have to set up another tank if i do want a bosfish.

 

[sc50964]

Look it up, I like it but I'll stick with trying a blue because of price tag, plus i'll have to set up another tank if i do want a bosfish.

PIA had a good size one for $300 a few months before it closed down. It was gone within a couple of hours. Amazing fish. And yes if you don't want to risk your angels, then a boxfish only tank is needed. Unless if it's a pair, otherwise the males will fight until one is stressed out to a point that releases toxin, which effectively kills both. Females, on the other hand, can coexist if introduced as juveniles.

 

[TheAngelfish]

PIA had a good size one for $300 a few months before it closed down. It was gone within a couple of hours. Amazing fish. And yes if you don't want to risk your angels, then a boxfish only tank is needed. Unless if it's a pair, otherwise the males will fight until one is stressed out to a point that releases toxin, which effectively kills both. Females, on the other hand, can coexist if introduced as juveniles.

how do you get them to pair off?

 

[sc50964]

Get them when they are small (~2 to 3"), and put them in a tank that's at least 40 gallons. Larger ones are just more difficult in everything. I had a few larger ones and a qt of 40 g is way too small.

 

[TheAngelfish]

Get them when they are small (~2 to 3"), and put them in a tank that's at least 40 gallons. Larger ones are just more difficult in everything. I had a few larger ones and a qt of 40 g is way too small.

What did you have to do for the larger one that you didn't have to do for the little ones?

 

[sc50964]

What did you have to do for the larger one that you didn't have to do for the little ones?

The small ones are just easier to acclimate to captivity. Mine took pellets within a few weeks. The larger ones that I've had never took pellets and it's very difficult to gage just how much frozen food is enough coz their box shaped body. You can never tell if one is full. The larger ones, especially male, are always very difficult to get used to captivity. After it gets beyond 5", they need 100+ gallons of water to be happy, coz their poor swimming skills make it difficult to maneuver in smaller tanks. They require large body of water and are terrible shippers.

 

[Hal]

In my experience, over time I've had 3 longhorn cowfish die in my tank, and not once did they nuke my tank. Maybe it's because my tank is large, and so any toxins were diluted, but maybe not. Just sayin'.

I'll second that they are slow eaters, which is why I think I lost mine. They couldn't compete with my tangs for food. So sad. They are such beautiful fish.

 

[sc50964]

So, did you get one, theangelfish?

 

[TheAngelfish]

So, did you get one, theangelfish?

No, I didn't