Yellow Boxfish
(Ostracion cubicus)
Davis Family Name: "Crouton"
Common Name: Yellow
Boxfish
A.K.A.: Cube Boxfish
This boxfish exhibits
considerable color change
through its life. As a juvenile,
it looks like a bright yellow
dice. As it grows, the color
becomes brown overall, retaining
its dark spots. Like its
cousins, it is best housed with
non-aggressive tankmates. If
housed with aggressive feeders,
it may have trouble competing
for food. It is possible to keep
more than one in the same tank
(especially young individuals),
but adult males may quarrel. It
will not usually bother other
fishes. It is a larger boxfish
that will need lots of open
swimming space. This species has
been known to "nuke" an entire
tank of fishes. This occurs most
often when the fish is stressed.
Make sure you do not keep it
with fishes that will pick on it
and remove it immediately if it
is being harassed or looks as
though it may die. (They
sometimes release lethal amounts
of their body slime when they
die.) This species is
susceptible to Cryptocaryon and
Lymphocystis. It is best not to
house it with cleaner wrasses,
as these wrasses will
incessantly chase and try to
clean them. The species is
notably difficult to keep and
not covered by our live arrival
guarantee. This item should only
be attempted by experienced
hobbyists.
Range: in Nature
Indo-Pacific Minimum Aquarium
Size 30 Diet and Feeding
Carnivore, provide a varied diet
that includes frozen
preparations for carnivores.
Always wanted to get one of
these. But risk of
"nuking" tank if dies deterred
me from risking adding one to
tank.
Starting up pico gave me the
opportunity.
Cool little fish, about size
of dime. Will grow and
have to find another tank when
it gets bigger. Hopefully
a good while before outgrows
tank.
Fish can grow as big as a
football. Looses its
bright color as it matures.
Eric (LFS) says he will trade
out a large one for a smaller
anytime.
Name "Crouton" describes fish
perfectly.
Busy little fellow wandering
about tank at a slow pace.
Often going over rock looking
for something to eat.
"Cute" does not begin to
describe this fish.
"Spots" again!.
References:
MarineCenter
FishBase
Practical FishKeeping
SlideShow
