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is it difficult to keep longhorn cowfish in a home tank?
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 1:52 pm
by neiol
is it difficult to keep longhorn cowfish in a home tank?
since some website said it was difficult to keep it, but some said easy.
which is true?
and, i plan to setup a marine tank,
can anyone give me some suggestions on equipments and operation?
thanks!!!
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Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 3:50 pm
by Jager
welcome to TPF
thes e fish are no harder to keep than other puffers with one large twist. they can and do have the ability to release their tetradotoxin into the water of the fish tank as a defense. While in the wild this is not a big deal, in a fish tank it can kill everything in the tank including the cowfish, because it cannot be diluted or removed fast enough usually.
they are otherwise just needing a peaceful tank with no tankmates that might pose issues. a big skimmer and a decent about of decor and such to explore.
a 120 gallon or 90 gallon tank is preferable, but they seem to be ok for a long time in 75 gallon tanks as well.
for a skimmer a CSS 225 or a aquac ev series or the euro reef are gerat.
the CSS 225 is the least expensive of the group and is worth the money.
as for other equipment it depends on what else you want in the tank. you MUST have live rock in the tank for filtration but you dont need good looking or heavy growth stuff just the well seeded with bacteria life type.
any lighting is ok unless you plan to do a semi reef then match the lighting for what that needs.
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 7:29 pm
by RTR
And as many small meals per day as you can provide.
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:18 pm
by Jason
I've had small specimens in my old live rock tank (cant call it a reef with out laughing, it was rock frags on live sand with hardly any lighting) they did great...and i second RTR they eat all dang day long.
Jason
PS i never tried keeping anythign with them, they were there for display purposed at the store i used to work at.
The adults are unique looking critters though
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:19 pm
by Myaj
Can they really fit in a 90 gallon tank comfortably? I read they get up to 12" and with their box shaped body, they would have to be HUGE. I never really watched one move around much though, maybe they don't dart or swim fast.
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:04 pm
by perek
Myaj wrote:Can they really fit in a 90 gallon tank comfortably? I read they get up to 12" and with their box shaped body, they would have to be HUGE. I never really watched one move around much though, maybe they don't dart or swim fast.
They swim sorta like a puffer IMO.
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:38 pm
by Phaedrus
I've only ever seen one box fish, and it hovered like a puffer does. Certainly not built for speed. :p
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:35 pm
by Myaj
LOL I guess I'm too used to my SAP, that buggar can shoot across the tank in a flash. Which is a pain, since I need to trim his teeth and I can't catch him in the bigger tank now!
Boxfish are just too adorable, you have to see them in person to really appreciate them.
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:30 am
by Phaedrus
Absolutely. The boxfish I saw actually led me to webwedmedia and from there, I learnt about puffers. So intrigued was I that a couple months later I had my first puffer.
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:38 am
by Myaj
I saw my first one about a year ago and fell in love. It was hovering by the glass and when I put my finger up it attacked, but... the only thing moving was its teeth! It was so incredibly adorable in a mean and terrifying kind of way!
I couldn't stop talking about the little guy when I got home, until I researched how big they get! But I have a friend selling a 90 gallon/stand cheap, and Shayne is finishing up the electrical in the basement, and it would look really really cool in the rec room... Awwww....
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:54 am
by Woland
There id two Longhorns and a boxfish for sale at my LFS.
Dribble!!!
Good info on Cows & Boxes can be found
here.
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:56 am
by Pufferpunk
Good time for a really cute juvie boxfish pic!
(OK, it's really a smooth trunkfish--same family)
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:06 am
by Woland
Awwww....
Must not spend all my money on a marine tank.
Must not spend all my money on a marine tank.
Must not spend all my money on a marine tank.
:26:
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:34 am
by YBeNormal
Woland wrote:Awwww....
Must not spend all my money on a marine tank.
Must not spend all my money on a marine tank.
Must not spend all my money on a marine tank.
:26:
Good thinking Woland. You need to save some money for the stand, sump, test kits...
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:56 am
by puffergeek
YBeNormal wrote:Woland wrote:Awwww....
Must not spend all my money on a marine tank.
Must not spend all my money on a marine tank.
Must not spend all my money on a marine tank.
:26:
Good thinking Woland. You need to save some money for the stand, sump, test kits...
And don't forget the live rock...