Wrasse, Anthias, and Other Marine Fish
Yellow Boxfish
Ostracion cubicus
Photo: J. Petersen · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Temperature24–27 °C
- pH8.1–8.4
- Minimum tank600 l
- Adult size45 cm
- Difficulty★★★★☆
- TemperamentPeaceful
- WaterMarine
- Reef safeWith caution
Full profile
- Family
- Ostraciidae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific and Red Sea
- Size
- 45 cm
- Temperature
- 24 – 27°C
- pH
- 8.1 – 8.4
- Salinity
- 1.023 – 1.025
- Difficulty
- ★★★★☆
- Water type
- marine
- Swimming level
- middle
- Behavior
- peaceful (may release toxins when stressed)
- Minimum number of individuals
- 1
- Minimum aquarium size
- 600 L
- Diet
- omnivore
- Reproduction
- oviparous
- Reef Safe
- ⚠️ Use caution (bites invertebrates; toxins)
Notes: Juveniles are yellow cubes with black spots. When stressed or dying, they release ostracitoxin, which can kill the entire aquarium. For experienced aquarists only.
