Boxfish EXPERT ONLY 2" WYSIWYG
Boxfish EXPERT ONLY 2" WYSIWYG
(Ostracion meleagris)
Couldn't load pickup availability
Care Level: Expert Only
Color: Black, Blue, Orange and White
Diet: Omnivore
dKH: 8 - 12
Family: Ostraciidae
Maximum Size: 10
Minimum Tank Size: 180 Gallons
pH: 8.1 - 8.4
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.025
Temperament: Peaceful
Temperature: 72 - 78° F
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Share

Overview
The Boxfish is also referred to as the Spotted Boxfish, Blue Boxfish, Black Boxfish, or Whitespotted Boxfish. The various names are due to the dimorphic appearance of the male and female. The male is the more colorful of the two, with a vibrant blue body and a wide black swath covering the top of the body like a cap. The entire body is speckled with dots, white on black and black on blue while a thin horizontal stripe of orange adorns the tail. The female is entirely black with white dots.
This is a very difficult fish to keep in the aquarium setting by any other than the most experienced aquarist. It should have a minimum of a 180 gallon tank. Use caution if placing the Boxfish in a reef tank as they will often nibble at tubeworms. When stressed, the Boxfish releases a poisonous substance, called ostracitoxin, from its mucous glands which will kill other fish in the tank very quickly.
Very little success has been achieved in breeding these fish in an aquarium. When first introduced, the Boxfish can be fed a diet of live brine shrimp or bloodworms. After acclimatization, chopped squid, clams, mussels, and herbivore preparations can be fed.
Diver's Den® species are what-you-see-is-what-you-get - the EXACT item you are ordering, not a representative photo. This specimen is currently available. To order, click the Add To Cart button at the top right of the page.
All Diver's Den®items must be shipped within 2 shipping days of placing your order.
Please note: if you do not complete your order by checking out, someone else may order this specimen.