Male Spotted Hawaiian Boxfish

[mattp098]

I recently purchased a male spotted boxfish (Ostracion meleagris) and he's not taking to food in my aquarium yet. I've had him for 5 days. He swims around and acts normal and is social with the other fish. He's in a community FOWLR 125 gal. tank, no one is aggressive towards him. I feed my fish a variety of food including, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, blood worms, spirulina, angel formula, krill, squid, clams, and seaweed. Does anyone have any experience keeping this species? I have read that they are considered delicate... is this true? I have kept other species of boxfish before with luck. Any information will be appreciated... thanks!

 

[patandlace]

I would try soaking the brine shrimp in vitamins and garlic. If it doesn't eat and starts to go down make sure you remove it before it poisons the whole tank.

 

[mattp098]

i forgot to mention that i have been adding garlic to the food as well. Yes, I'm aware of the toxins it realeases, as I will keep a close eye for when he's dying, but he's still in very good shape (as far as appearance and behavior.) After how many days of not eating is it considered fish suicide, as in a ridiculously long amount of time to be without food, because I am aware that fish, like other cold blooded animals, can go extended periods of time without food.

 

[v-lioness]

It took me about 2 weeks to get my cowfish eating, I used chopped raw shrimp, keep feeding the greens. I found with my cowfish, chunky meaty foods works best along with Nori.
Is it eating the greens?
Here is one thing Wetweb says on this box and feeding.....
"Like other (demersal) Boxfish species, this one needs to be well fed... on the tank bottom, not the surface or mid-water."
Fish base mentioned feeding sponge, try frozen angel formula (thawed) it has sponge in it.
Good Luck
Kaye