Page 253 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

BOXFISH AND PORCUPINEFISH 251

Lactoria cornuta Canthigaster valentini Tetrosomus gibbosus
Long-Horned Cowfish Saddled Toby Humpback Turretfish

ORIGINS Red Sea through the Pacific to Japan, the ORIGINS Red Sea through the Indo-Pacific region to ORIGINS Indo-Pacific region, with specimens often
eastern coast of Australia, and the Marquesas Islands. Japan and eastern Australia, as far as Tuamotu Islands. originating from Sri Lanka.
SIZE 18 in (45 cm). SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 16 in (40 cm).
DIET Omnivorous; prefers algae and livefoods. DIET Omnivorous; prefers algae and meaty foods. DIET Algae, plus prepared and fresh foods.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.3–8.4) with SG 1.023–1.027. (pH 8.3–8.4) with SG 1.023–1.027. (pH 8.3–8.4) with SG 1.023–1.027.
TEMPERAMENT Aggressive to their own kind. TEMPERAMENT Nonaggressive. TEMPERAMENT Incompatible with invertebrates.
Horns may regrow These small fish make good home aquarium
Upright if broken specimens because they can be housed in a modest
dorsal fin
tank. However, they should not be kept with
invertebrates, which form their natural prey. The
Saddled Toby can be distinguished from the
Four-Barred Toby (C. coronata) by the presence of
just three white horizontal bands across its back.
Note, though, that a filefish called the Valentini
Mimic (Paraluteres prionurus) has similar markings.
The bony, hornlike
projections on the head of this fish explain its In common with related species, the Humpback
common name. There is also a similar, less Turretfish usually grows much smaller in aquariums
prominent projection at the rear of the body. The than it does in the wild. Its body shape, combined
slow motion of the Long-Horned Cowfish means with the way it swims, gives the impression that it
that it may lose out when competing for food with is hovering in the water. Like other boxfish, it is
more agile fish, especially since it likes to feed protected by a rigid bony casing, augmented in the
near the tank bottom. If the flanks are drawn in, Humpback by various sharp projections along its
this indicates a serious loss of condition. sides, which help to deter would-be predators.

Chilomycterus schoepfii
INFLATABLE ARMOR
Striped Burrfish The spines of these fish offer good protection
When threatened, porcupinefish can defend against predators, and the so-called “ocelli,” or
themselves by inflating their bodies. This ORIGINS Inhabits coastal waters, ranging from the north false eyes, on their bodies also act as a deterrent
makes them harder to swallow, reinforcing the of Florida southward as far as Brazil. against attack. Striped Burrfish must not be caught
effectiveness of their armor of sharp spines. SIZE 20 in (50 cm). in a net, because their spines can easily become
The teeth, normally used by the fish to obtain DIET Omnivorous; prefers algae and animal-based foods. entangled in the mesh. As with similar fish, they
their food, can also deliver a painful bite to WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline can be greedy when feeding, which may place an
an attacker’s flesh. If lifted out into air after (pH 8.3–8.4) with SG 1.023–1.027. extra burden on the tank’s filtration system, so
being caught, porcupinefish may inflate TEMPERAMENT Will attack invertebrates. water quality must be carefully monitored.
themselves with air instead of water, which
can prove fatal. For this reason, they should
be steered into a suitable submerged
container of water, in which they can be
taken safely out of the aquarium.

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