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(tetrosomus gibbosus)
Saltwater
This rare fish, also known as a Thornbck Cowfish, Helmet Cowfish and Hovercraft Boxfish, it is native to the Indo-Pacific area. It has yellowish-brown body with blue and brown dots. The posterior dorsal fin is blue, while the other fins are variations of brown, except for the blue-green mixed, elongated caudal fin. It's a venomous fish that can wipe out the entire tank if it releases its toxins when either stressed dies. This fish will delight you when it is hungry, by rising to the surface and spiting to tell you it's hungry.
Size: 1/2" to 1"; can get up to 4" in captivity and 12" in the wild.
No. in Tank: No other boxfish; intolerant of each other.
Tank: min. 60 gallon
Temperament: Peaceful
Food: When first introduced, feed it live brine shrimp and bloodworms. Once acclimated it can be feed a varied diet of chopped squid, clams, mussels and a prepared herbivore feed. It's a slow eater. Do not house with aggressive eaters. Does best with bottom feeders.
Light: Medium
Adaptation: Needs to be the first fish introduced into the aquarium whenever possible. Needs places to hide and room to swim.
Compatibility: Does best in a community tank versus a reef system where it may nip at tubeworms. Do not place any aggressive eaters with this, or any boxfish; bottom feeders are better. No other boxfish as they become territorial. Need peaceful tank-mates and no cleaner fish such as wrassers due to the toxins emitted through the skin of this fish.
Venomous: When becomes stressed or dies, will release a toxin called ostracitoxin from its skin, which can kill the other fish, including other boxfish. The Camel Cowfish will warn you it's stressed by looking concaved. If it becomes stressed or dies, it should be removed from the aquarium as fast as possible. Keep activated carbon on hand. When introduced through the filtration system, it will absorb the toxin from the water. Additionally, exchange 50% of the aquarium water.
**EXPERTS ONLY
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