Cowfish Helmet
(Tetrasomus gibbosus)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Lighting: Moderate
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 4″
Color Form: Black, Blue, Tan
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Sri Lanka
Family: Ostraciidae
Swim Level: All

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Referred to by many names, including Camel Cowfish, Thornback, Thornbacked Boxfish, Helmet Cowfish, and Hovercraft Boxfish, the Cowfish Helmet requires the care of an experienced aquarist. The Cowfish Helmet has a rather drab, pale tan body with random blotches of blue and occasional black dots. The eyes are large and blue.

The Cowfish Helmet should have a minimum of a 70 gallon tank. Use caution if placing it in a reef tank as it will often nibble at tubeworms. When stressed, the Cowfish Helmet 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 this fish in the aquarium setting.

When introduced into a tank, the Cowfish Helmet can be fed a diet of live brine shrimp or bloodworms. After acclimatization, chopped squid, clams, mussels, and herbivore preparations can be fed. This fish has the peculiar habit of coming to the surface and spitting when it is hungry.

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Cowfish Longhorn
(Lactoria cornuta)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 1′ 8″
Color Form: White, Yellow
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Ostraciidae

The Cowfish Longhorn inhabit the reefs of the Indo-Pacific, usually in the less turbid waters. The body is yellow and covered with white dots, and is occasionally referred to as the Yellow Boxfish; however, the Longhorn is not to be confused with Ostracion cubicus, commonly called the Yellow or Polka Dot Boxfish. In the wild, it is not uncommon to see a 20″ specimen, while in the aquarium the Cowfish Longhorn tends to be dramatically smaller - 16″ or less.

When possible, the Cowfish Longhorn should be the first fish introduced in the tank. It is intolerant of other Longhorns, so keep it in a large tank, with some live rock for algae scraping. Use caution if placing the Cowfish Longhorn in a reef tank as it may nibble on tubeworms. When housed correctly, the Cowfish Longhorn is long-lived.

Similar to other boxfish, the Cowfish Longhorn’s skin is poisonous and, when threatened, it will release a toxin lethal to other tank members, including other Longhorns.

Since they are omnivores, the Cowfish Longhorn should be offered a variety of meaty and vegetable foods. They are slow eaters, and should not be housed with aggressive eaters.

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Whitley’s Boxfish
(Ostracion whitleyi)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 5″
Color Form: Blue, Red, White
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Hawaii
Family: Ostraciidae

The Whitley’s Boxfish is found on the reefs of Hawaii and obtain a maximum size of 5″. The Male is a beautiful dark blue color with many lighter blue spots covering the back. The side of the fish is mostly dark blue with light blue markings outlining the side. The female of this species is beautifully spotted in red and white.

The Whitley’s Boxfish should have a minimum of a 50-gallon aquarium. Use caution if placing it in a reef aquarium, as it will often nibble at tubeworms. When stressed, this fish will release a poisonous substance, called ostracitoxin, from its mucous glands, which may harm other fish in the aquarium very quickly.

Very little success has been achieved in breeding this fish in the aquarium setting.

When introduced into an aquarium, the Whitley’s Boxfish can be fed a diet of live brine shrimp or bloodworms. After acclimatization, chopped squid, clams, mussels, and herbivore preparations can be fed. This fish has the peculiar habit of coming to the surface and spitting when it is hungry.

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Cubicus Boxfish
(Ostracion cubicus)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 1′ 6″
Color Form: Blue, Green, Tan, Yellow
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Ostraciidae

The Cubicus Boxfish is also referred to as the Yellow Boxfish, Polka Dot Boxfish, or Cube Boxfish. The juvenile form is easily identifiable as having a yellow box-shaped body with brown spots. As an adult, the yellow will fade and become brown. The Cubicus Boxfish is sometimes confused with the Longhorn Cowfish, Lactoria cornuta which is occasionally also called the Yellow Boxfish.

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 125 gallon tank. Use caution if placing the Spotted Boxfish in a reef tank as they will often nibble at tubeworms. If stressed, the Cubicus 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 Cubicus Boxfish prefers a diet of live brine shrimp or bloodworms. Once acclimated, the diet should include chopped squid, clams, mussels, and herbivore preparations.

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Boxfish
(Ostracion meleagris)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 6″
Color Form: Black, Blue, Orange, White
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Hawaii
Family: Ostraciidae

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 50 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.

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