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(arcana aurita)
Saltwater
Native to Southern Australia, this is the rarest boxfish available for aquariums. The male is brown with white dots on the top half and white stripes on the bottom half. The caudal tail is streaked with blues and greens. The female is a darker brown with bolder white stripes and a light brown caudal fin. When this fish is hungry, it will let you know by coming to the surface and spitting. A venomous fish, when stressed or if it dies, ostracitoxin will be released from the mucous glands, which can quickly wipe out the aquarium.
Size: 1" to 2"; can get up to 7"
Tank: min. 75 gallon
Temperament: Peaceful
Food: (Omnivore) When first introduced to the aquarium, feed it live brine shrimp or bloodworms. After acclimation, a varied diet of chopped squid, clams, mussels, and a herbivore preparation can be offered. A slow eater, other tank-mates must not be aggressive eaters.
Light: Medium
Adaptation: If possible, should be the first introduced into the aquarium, with plenty of live rock. Also needs lots of hiding spots and room to swim.
Compatibility: Best in a community tank with peaceful, non-aggressive eating tank-mates. In a reef system this fish may nip at tubeworms.
Venomous: When becomes stressed or dies, will release a toxin called ostracitoxin from its mucous glands, which can kill the other fish, including other boxfish. If 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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