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November 24, 2009
Marine Fish
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Spotted Boxfish
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Spotted Boxfish
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

The Spotted Boxfish is also referred to as the 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 swatch 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 an 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 Spotted Boxfish in a reef tank as they will often nibble at tubeworms. When stressed, the Spotted 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 Spotted Boxfish can be fed a diet of live brine shrimp or bloodworms. After acclimatization, chopped squid, clams, mussels, and herbivore preparations can be fed.

Fish Facts
Name: Spotted Boxfish (Ostracion meleagris)
Family: Ostraciidae
Range: Indo-Pacific
Size: Up to 6 inches
Diet: Omnivore
Tank Set-up: Marine: Coral or rock, plants
Reef Compatible: With caution
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Minimum Tank Capacity: 50 gallon
Light: Medium
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Venomous: Yes
Swimming Level: No specific level
Care Level: Experts only
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Picture(s): Courtesy of Drs. Foster and Smith |
Information provided courtesy of PetEducation.com

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