Cowfish...Boston Bean

[cavyroo]

Curious. If I were to put one in an 80gal tank, that has a Scopas Tang, Lyretail Anthias, and a 3 striped damsel (small)...Do you think the little boston cowfish would be fine?

The only one I am worried about is the damsel. He does fine with the others.
There is oh about..70lbs of live rock in there at the moment.

I have also read, that if stressed..they can emit a toxin that can kill your tank. How MUCH stress is that?

Thanks lots!!


Misty

 

[bradreef]

those striped damsels could end up being the meanest fish in your tank.

 

[cavyroo]

Ya...that is what I am worried about. I need to get him out..if he's going to be a butt. Not sure HOW..lol

 

[bradreef]

they aren't the smartest fish but they are fast good luck.

 

[cavyroo]

What about the toxic? have you heard that as well?

 

[NaH2O]

The family is also notable for some members possession of "ostracitoxin" a toxic discharge substance of some trunkfishes. If/when sufficiently disturbed whole tanks, and recirculating systems of livestock have been wiped out. Though this is rare, the cautions listed elsewhere in this piece on netting, acclimation, and tankmates should be heeded if you intend to try a trunk/boxfish.

About "Boston Beans": these are juveniles of various species of cowfishes and boxes, not a specific designation; they grow up to look like the adults of whatever species they are.

From the article: The Puffers Called Box-, Cowfishes, Family Ostraciidae

I would be concerned about the cowfish getting picked on.

 

[cavyroo]

Ahh thank you!
What about in a tank...with a sailfin blenny, yellow tang, mandarin goby...and 2 perculas?

Think that tank would be a better choice?

Misty

 

[cavyroo]

Or not at all?

 

[gehidore]

I have also read, that if stressed..they can emit a toxin that can kill your tank. How MUCH stress is that?

Misty,

The tank you saw today has had 3 boxfish pass through it.
I don't remember what the first two were but the third one was a longhorned cowfish<see avatar>. Sadly all of my boxfish have died from one thing or another, but not one of them released any toxins. With a tank of your size I would simply worry about it getting trapped (they're not too bright when it comes to getting stuck behind things),but they do have big personalities.

The first two died from the standard ICK that boxfish are so prone to get when introduced into a new tank, the third one was a stupid head and 1) got stuck on a powerhead intake (my fault) 2) tried to get stuck again 3) got stuck behind some rocks when running from the original powerhead, by the time I found em it was too late it died a few hours later.

IMO-

-Jordan

 

[cavyroo]

Ahh, ok. Well that is good news. I think that little boxfish at work is going to come home with me then. He can live in my 80gal. The sailfin blenny in the other tank..he is a bit territorial to a certain rock and hole. He even took out a feather duster by its tube when I was placing in there..3 times! Little bugger!

Misty

PS
I REALLY like that pulsing xenia. Next marine order, I may have to see if they have that!

 

[gehidore]

I REALLY like that pulsing xenia. Next marine order, I may have to see if they have that!

Now before you go ordering things, I want to know what rates you guys get for what. I may have a better place to get stuffs from.

As for the pulsing xenia, I plan to split it up again one of these days, If you want I'll send some your way.

Anywho, it's been a long night and I'm going to bed. :| Enjoy.

 

[cavyroo]

I sent ya a pm jordan

 

[gehidore]

I sent ya a pm jordan

-----------
Got it.

 

[cavyroo]

Well I got the boston bean. The damsel could care less if he is in there. But when I got home from Seattle today..there he was stuck on the powerhead. Poor thing..hope he was not there long. Any ideas to block the powerhead..so he dont do that again?

 

[gehidore]

...when I got home from Seattle today..there he was stuck on the powerhead. Poor thing..hope he was not there long. Any ideas to block the powerhead..so he dont do that again?

OHH NO!

I hope your little bugger lives, I'll work up some ideas for blocking off those intakes. Could you see if there was any physical damage? What part of the body was stuck to the power head?

A frustrated Jordan.

 

[cavyroo]

I checked him out.. He is good to go. lol He was glad to get away from that powerhead. the entire 80gal..and he goes there. silly hover craft!

 

[WaterDogs]

I had a Longhorn Cowfish that died about 2 1/2 years ago and poisoned the whole tank. The fish was fine when I went to work in the morning and when I got home it was dead and all the fish in the tank were drifting around and turning sideways, I changed about 50% of the water and added a ton of carbon which saved everything in the tank. I would still get another on because they are such great fish.

 

[gehidore]

I had a Longhorn Cowfish that died about 2 1/2 years ago and poisoned the whole tank. The fish was fine when I went to work in the morning and when I got home it was dead and all the fish in the tank were drifting around and turning sideways, I changed about 50% of the water and added a ton of carbon which saved everything in the tank. I would still get another on because they are such great fish.

So the carbon helped! <taking notes here>