Cowfish

[hnf2k]

are cowfish reef safe? can they be kept with inverts? how big do they get? are they that posionous that if they die in a tank my size(180 gallons), that they will wipe out my whole tank. what kind of care do they need? and anything else will be great...thanks

 

[ryebread]

I had a long-horned Cowfish a while back when I did not yet realize how large they can get. My cowfish unfortunately met his demise via getting stuck to a powerhead while I was at work. It did not harm anything in the tank although sometimes they can. If one were to die in a tank it is just best to get it out ASAP. Mine used to eat out of my hand..........I would stick krill in my palm and the cowfish would sit right in my hand and gently pick at the food. I did see it pick at some of the corals in the tank although I am not positive if this is common behavior. Never caused any real damage to my corals........I miss it.

 

[hnf2k]

how large do they get?

 

[pyro383]

A boxfish may be of interest to you, however they nip at snails, hermits and starfish but leave corals alone. I gave mine away the other day because of the nipping. Very cool and personable

 

[sistrmary]

Some cowfish (the really popular ones in the aquarium business) get abour 18" long not counting the "horns". They're not reef safe..their diet is very ecclectic...puffer-like. However, they usually starve to death in the aquarium. They're also susceptible to anemones.