Cowfish--yes or no?

[alexb518]

I really like the way cowfish look, but i'm afraid of buying one and having it wipe out my whole tank. i had one previously in my 150, and i don't know if it used to release toxins or not and just got diluted in the water and went unnoticed. but now i want to put it in my 50 gal. and i wanted to see if anyone has had good/bad experiences with these fish. thanks

 

[PVChick12]

50's too small for a cowfish

 

[Redhawk44]

i hear they are ick factories, and they get quite large.

 

[xenon]

Might have to do a cowfish only tank.

CFOWLR

 

[Freed]

ICH CAN BE ELIMINATED IN A QT TANK. Cow fish, like any other fish, don't manufacture ich unless they are introduced into a tank without being properly QT'd

 

[SptfireXIV]

I have one in a 75, its been a model citizen in my tank so far.

I'm not sure if I'd recommend a beginner getting one though, they're most definitely a danger to the rest of the tanks inhabitants, you have to completely build the tank around a cowfish: the flow, its inhabitants, etc.

 

[rustybucket145]

Keep some carbon handy and have it ready to throw in the tank at a moments notice. 'Toxic Events' as they are known with cowfish are very rare and usually involve the fish being harrassed by a larger tankmate. The harrasment will usually have to be pretty severe for the cowfish to release its toxin. When/if the cowfish releases it's toxin it can be compared to a suicide bomber. The cowfish dies as well as everything else.

If carbon is introduced immediately or present when the event takes place you may be able to save most of the rest of your livestock.

I agree with others, a 50 is too small for a cowfish. They can easily reach 12 inches and produce a very large amount of waste. I personally don't think that 50 gals is enough water volume to support this fish.