Boxfish – Whitespot

Whitespot Boxfish Care Tips:

Minimum Tank Size:  100 Gallons

Max Size: Up to 25cm (10″)

Diet: Omnivore

Temperament: Peaceful

Lifespan: Up to 8 years

Scientific Name: Ostracion Meleagris

Other Common Names: Spotted Boxfish, Blue Boxfish, Black Boxfish, or Whitespotted Boxfish

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: No

Approx. Purchase Size:   Small: 1 – 3 inches Medium: 3-4 inches

The whitespot boxfish, scientific name Ostracion Meleagris, is a peaceful fish. Their minimum tank size is 100 gallons. The whitespot boxfish can grow up to 10”, but they will take years to grow this large. The whitespot boxfish can live up to 8 years. Whitespot boxfish are omnivores and will prefer to eat meaty foods given to them. They will also sometimes eat algae sheets, or graze algae off the rocks. Boxfish are slow swimmers, depending on their tank mates they may need direct feedings to ensure they are getting food. As juveniles they can be fed any type of small species of frozen shrimp for example mysis or brine. As they get bigger they can be given large chunks of meat such as clams, mussels, and squid. Whitespot boxfish should be kept alone or in a mated pair. Males will have a yellow and blue body while females are all blackish/brown. Whitespot boxfish are not reef safe, boxfish will nibble on tubeworms. As they mature, they will also start preying upon other invertebrates in the aquarium, they have also been reported to eat coral polyps. Boxfish should be kept in a FOWLR tank with peaceful tankmates.  Boxfish prefer to have somewhere to hide but will often be swimming around the tank throughout the day. Boxfish species when stressed or injured will release toxins, this toxin is potentially harmful to other fish in the aquarium, and also itself. Boxfish have (on rare occasion) been known to kill other fish from this toxin. This toxin is not a risk to invertebrates or corals, only fish. Keeping boxfish with peaceful tank mates will ensure a stress-free life for the boxfish. The whitespotted boxfish is also referred to as the spotted boxfish, the blue boxfish, and the black boxfish.