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Advanced Boxfish & Cowfish Care: Ultimate Tank Setup, Food, & Safety
Updated on January 23rd, 2024
Scientific names: Ostracion cubicus, Ostacion meleagris, Lactoria cornuta, Lactoria fornasini, Ostracion solorense.
Boxfish and Ccowfish have unique, armor- plated, box-like shaped bodies. These relatives ofto puffer fish, filefish and trunkfish, have an inquisitive personality and are slow impressively manoeuvrable swimmers, despite their lack of an aerodynamic body. with inquisitive personalities Due to their fragile nature and potential toxicity, they are recommended for experienced aquarists only only due to their fragile nature and potential toxicity. When stressed, these fish have been known to release toxins a poison—called pahutoxin—into the water from their mucous glands , called pahutoxin, into the water that is potentially could harmful to its their tank mates.
Learn how to care for Boxfish & Cowfish, recommended diet and aquarium setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
This care sheet covers a variety of boxfish and cowfish species, including:
- Yellow boxfish
- Spotted boxfish
- Longhorn cowfish
- Thornback cowfish
- Reticulate boxfish
Typical appearance and behavior
- Can release a toxin when touched or stressed
- Very personable
- Some boxfish are known to make humming sounds to communicate
- While they are relatives of pufferfish and look similar to them,boxfish and cowfish do not puff up
- Cowfish are spiky versions of boxfish
Characteristics
| Care Difficulty | Advanced |
|---|---|
| Average Life Span | Up to 8+ years,; dependsing on the species |
| Average Adult Size | 5-20 inches long, depending on the species |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Minimum Habitat Size | 125+ gallons, depending on the species |
| Water Temperature | 74-80°F, depending on the species, as some may prefer temperatures outside these parameters |
| Specific Gravity | 1.020-1.025 |
Habitat
Habitat size
Keep boxfish and cowfish in an appropriately sized aquarium. A minimum of 125 gallons, depending on the adult size of the species, is recommended.
Building your habitat
Water health
- Provide proper filtration to ensure optimal water quality to help maintain health.Slow to moderate water circulation should be provided to mimic water currents and high oxygen levels found in the boxfish and cowfish’s natural habitat. Stable water quality (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) and water temperature are critical to the health of aquatic life. If you are unsure of your water quality, bring a sample to Petco for free testing. The addition of a protein skimmer can aid with maintaining great water quality and high dissolved oxygen levels. An aquatic heater should be used to stabilize water temperature, ensuring it does not fluctuate more than +/-2 degrees in a 24-hour period. The specific gravity should remain stable. Do not allow specific gravity to fluctuate more than +/-0.001 in a 24-hour period
Décor
- Provide plenty of substrate, rocks and hiding places as well as ample room for swimming
- The addition of live rock can provide a natural food source for boxfish and cowfish to feed from
Feeding
A well-balanced omnivorous boxfish and cowfish diet consists of:
- Flakes, pellets, freeze-dried or frozen food
- A varied diet to ensure proper nutritional balance
Things to remember when feeding your boxfish or cowfish:
- Depending on the species and size, feed small amounts two to three times daily, no more than fish will eat in 1 to 2 minutes
- Thaw frozen food before feeding
- Ensure proper consumption, and remember that juvenile fish often lose out to faster fish
- Don't offer floating food, as swallowing air can cause buoyancy issues
Boxfish and cowfish care
Water care: Maintaining great water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration is important to help keep your boxfish and cowfish healthy
- Daily: Check filter, water temperature and other equipment
- Weekly: Test water quality at least once a week
- Weekly to monthly: Change 10 to 25% of the total volume of water every two to four weeks or as needed; change filter media monthly
Avoid overcrowding, which is a major cause of stress and disease
Supplies
- Appropriate-size aquarium
- Appropriate food, dry and frozen
- Décor
- Water conditioner
- Filter
- Water test kit
- Full-spectrum lighting
- Net
- Thermometer
- Protein skimmer
- Marine substrate
- Heater
- Refractometer
- Marine aquarium salt
- Live rock
Aquarium mates
May be compatible with some docile species such as:
- Clownfish
- Fire/dartfish
- Gobies
- Dragonets
- Cardinalfish
- Reef-safe wrasses
Because boxfish and cowfish may release deadly toxins when stressed, do not keep with aggressive fish
Not recommended for reef tanks
Health
Signs of a healthy boxfish and cowfish
- Clear eyes
- Healthy appetite
- Fins completely intact and undamaged
- Bright, even coloring
- Free of disease and parasites
Red flags (If you notice any of these signs, contact your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian.)
- Loss of color or appetite
- Spots or fungus on body or mouth
- Erratic swimming
- Labored respiration
- Cloudy eyes
- Frayed fins
- Weight loss
- Listlessness
Common health issues
| Health Issue | Symptoms or Causes | Suggested Action |
|---|---|---|
| Health IssueFin rot | Symptoms or CausesFrayed or disintegrating fins; the base of the fins usually reddens. | Suggested ActionImprove water quality; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment. |
| Health IssueMarine ich or marine velvet | Symptoms or CausesCysts on fins, gills and skin; rapid breathing; excess skin mucus or pale skin; fish rubs against hard objects or swims erratically. | Suggested ActionQuarantine fish immediately and use a commercial parasite remedy; complete a water change, freshwater dips can help dislodge the parasites; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment. |
| Health IssueBacterial infections | Symptoms or CausesCloudy eyes, open sores and/or reddening of the skin. | Suggested ActionImprove water quality; add freshwater aquarium salt; use a commercial antibacterial remedy as directed; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment |
| Health IssueViral infection (lymphocystis) | Symptoms or CausesWhite nodule growths on fins or body. | Suggested ActionImprove water quality; consult your local aquatic specialist or aquatic veterinarian for treatment. |
Notes and resources
Ask a Pet Care Center associate about Petco's selection of products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.
Because all aquatic life are potential carriers of infectious diseases such as atypical mycobacterium and salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your aquatic life or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease.
Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physician before purchasing or caring for aquatic life and should consider not having aquatic life as a pet.
Go to cdc.gov/healthypets for more information about aquatic life and disease.
The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, please contact your veterinarian as appropriate.
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FAQs
Boxfish are omnivores and can eat a variety of flakes, pellets, and freeze-dried and frozen food. Be sure the food you offer sinks to help prevent boxfish from swallowing air, which can cause buoyancy issues.
The size of adult boxfish will vary by species, with an average size between 5 and 20 inches.
The size of adult boxfish will vary by species, with an average size between 5 and 20 inches.
Boxfish can live up to 8+ years with proper care.
Cowfish can live up to 8+ years with proper care.
Cowfish are omnivores and can eat a variety of flakes, pellets, and freeze-dried and frozen diets. Be sure the food you offer sinks to help prevent cowfish from swallowing, air which can cause buoyancy issues.