Yellow Boxfish (Cubicus)

Description

Yellow Boxfish (Cubicus), Ostracion cubicum, are adorable fish that make great additions to a marine tank. They are full of personality and are perfect for someone after something different. 

Cowfish and boxfish belong to the Ostraciidae family. Which comes from the Greek word “ostrakon” meaning “shell”. Members of this family have square shaped bodies. This is thanks to their rigid carapace which grants them protection from predators. Their tough armour consists of sutured bony plates or scutes. It also encases most of their body, only leaving gaps for the: eyes, mouth, fins, gills ect.

Yellow Boxfish (Cubicus) Ecology.

These fish occur mostly alone in the Indo Pacific, around East Africa and the: Ryukyu, Tuamoto and Hawaiian Islands. They also live in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Yellow Boxfish prefer relatively sheltered areas and lagoons. Here they graze on algae and hunt for invertebrates, such as sponge, polychaete worms and crustaceans.

The unusual shape of the Yellow Boxfish has resulted in them having enhanced manoeuvrability, which is advantageous when needing to navigate a complex environment such as a coral reef. For example, young fish, after spending their early life amongst pelagic plankton, will live in between the branches of coral to stay inconspicuous.

Ostracion cubicum the Aquarium.

It is important to have plenty of nooks or crannies where your Yellow Boxfish (Cubicus) can explore and feel at home. Keepers may want to invest in a jump guard to prevent accidents. Young fish are not the strongest of swimmers so be mindful the flow rate isn’t too high.

Yellow Boxfish (Cubicus) are omnivores so do best when fed a varied diet. They will accept frozen Mysis shrimp and frozen brine shrimp. We enrich all our frozen food with seachem garlic guard and Atvitol vitamins. These are great for keeping fish healthy by providing them with the nutrition otherwise lost in frozen food. In doing so, these additives support their immune system and increase longevity.

These fish can also go for masstick that can be rubbed onto the rockwork or tank sides. In addition, they will graze on marine algae that can be stuck to the side of the tank with clips. Over time, Yellow Boxfish (Cubicus) will eat a high quality flake food. They will also accept live foods, such as copepods and amphipods, that can be cultivated in attached refugium.

We adapt all our Yellow Boxfish (Cubicus) to aquarium life before they leave us. We focus on their health. Most will also be eating frozen food before leaving us.

Box fish can live alone. It is possible for them to live in a group as well. Success depends on a fair number of variables. For example, factors to consider include: tank size, space available, cover available and timing of introduction. Please give us a call if you want to know more.

The Fish pictured here are representative only and the livestock you receive may vary in pattern, coloration, and shape.