Long Horned Cow

[myerst2]

Has anyone kept these fish? I know they get huge and have some other issues. My biggest concern is the potential of toxin release. Does anyone know the likelihood of these fish releasing toxins. From what i have heard they are less likely then other boxes but I want to know what type of risk I'm taking if I decide to get this fish. The fish I'm looking at has been in a dealer's tank for well over 4 months and is eating everything and is being kept with very aggressive fish, clown trigger, sohal, mappa, and others and he is doing great. Thanks Tim

 

[Apercula]

I had one years ago that survived a major traumatic event without releasing toxins, but Ive read stories of them killing a tank as a result of a less stressful incident than mine had.

I had mine in a smaller tank, filtered by a hang on canister filter, and I had a condy anemone in the tank also, the condy set up in a corner of the tank where the current would bring anything blowing around to it.
One night the cowfish got wedged between the intake pipe of the cansister and the back wall of the tank, right at the spot the condy was located, the condy tried to eat the cowfish but couldnt get him down because he was wedged in to tight.
The cowfish ended up with half of his face severely stung by the anemone, was missing a pectoral fin, one eye was totally clouded over and had many other stings also.
It took the cowfish over a month to fully recover from his injuries.

 

[Aaroneous]

Im curious about this too. The LFS is always getting these fish; they have a lot of personality. I decided I was getting one when I set up my saltwater tank. Its been on hold because I need to catch the 2 damsel fish and get rid of them before I can add one of these guys. The LFS said they arent strong swimmers and the damsel would just pick at it. Ill make it a point to ask them about the toxin release next time im in there...

 

[Apercula]

They are not strong swimmers, mine would "surf" the filter flow, he also would poke his head out of the water to eat from my fingers. They do have a lot of personality.
They eat a lot, produce a lot of waste, get large and have nuked other peoples tanks, I believe I probably got lucky mine didnt nuke my tank as badly injured as he was.