Boxfish Mortality

[mjdlonghorn]

I know boxfish are considered difficult species to keep since they release toxins when they are stressed. Has anyone experienced this first hand. I am considering a boxfish. Can anyone tell me if they have had one die on them and as a result had any other fish poisonoed. Sometimes at the LFS I see longhorn cowfish for sale and they seem to be doing well swimming with clownfish and everything. I assume the LFS wouldnt drop a longhorn in their toxicity was so potent it would wipe out his entire inventory. Any comments?

 

[AuroraDrvr]

They get 1.5+ feet long, hopefully you have a large tank.

 

[philter4]

I have collected and kept several boxfish and cowfish. I have never had them wipe out a tank, but on collection they have killed all the other fish and shrimp put in the collection container with them. After that I just put them in their own container and problem solved.

Though they can and sometimes do release the toxins, just look at how many come into the hobby and you'll realise that this isn't the norm, if it was they would kill peoples tanks as well as at LFS and even collection facilities. If this were the case, how many would you think make it to the hobby?

Good luck if you choose to get one, they make great pets, IMO.

 

[Chibils]

Something to consider if you do get one: I have read from a thread where it did crash a tank (the only one I've ever seen here on rc) that the inverts (namely corals) seemed unfazed.

 

[criccio]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12831204#post12831204 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AuroraDrvr
They get 1.5+ feet long, hopefully you have a large tank.

Some, not all.


I have never read a first hand account of any boxfish wiping out a tank.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12833753#post12833753 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by criccio
Some, not all.

True. But that particular species, does.

 

[criccio]

Very true, that's what I get for only reading half a post.