Common name: Bluetail trunkfish

General information

The Yellow Boxfish, Ostracion cubicus, is a well-known species in the marine aquarium trade, prized for its unique box-like shape and bright yellow coloration in juveniles, which fades to a more muted yellow with age and may develop blue-grey spots. As a member of the family Ostraciidae, boxfishes have a hard carapace made of fused bony plates that offers protection but limits their mobility.

Care

Yellow Boxfish require a spacious tank with plenty of room to swim and stable water conditions. They are generally peaceful but can be territorial with their own kind. It's important to provide a varied diet including meaty foods and algae-based preparations to maintain their health. Caution is advised as stressed or dying boxfish can release a toxic substance, ostracitoxin, which can harm other tank inhabitants.

Reproduction

Breeding Yellow Boxfish in captivity is challenging and rarely successful. They are pelagic spawners, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs. The larvae are planktonic before settling down and developing their characteristic boxy shape.

Habitat

Yellow Boxfish inhabit coral reefs and lagoons in the Indo-Pacific region, often found at depths of 1 to 50 meters. They prefer reef environments with plenty of hiding places and a rich growth of algae.