Longhorn Cowfish Help!

[rhyan]

I just started cycling a new tank and wanted to keep a Cowfish. I have read that they release a toxin when they are stressed or die. I was wondering if I should add this fish earlier than some other fish just in case it doesn't do well. I don't want it to kill any of my other fish! Thank you for your help! These are really cool fish. I look forward to keeping one!

 

[Reefing Madness]

Welp tough call there. I had one, and had no issues with him, he got rather large also, very cool looking and active fish. But....I have talked with people who had one die, and it smoked the entire tank. That said, its really up to you.

 

[tyler1503]

There's a lot of debate around the toxins these fish produce. I believe it's a bit like Palytoxin. It happened to one guy now everyone's paranoid.
I don't believe the cowfish (or any animal for that matter) would have evolved in such a way that it would release a toxin after death simply to kill everything nearby. There are many more stories about them dying and nothing happening than them crashing tanks.
There's a theory that suggests they develop the toxin as they need it, so it's not stored in the body. If the fish dies of natural causes or disease, it shouldn't release anything nasty.
I believe it to be a bit like a puffer fish. An otherwise healthy puffer will only puff up under extreme stress or as a last resort to save its life. Not for the fun of it. I believe Cowfish releasing toxins are the same. Only in life threatening or incredibly stressful situations should you have any problems.
I recently added a Cowfish to my 120 and have no concerns about any toxins this fish may produce I'm more concerned about my skimmer overflowing than this guy killing everything!

 

[Reefing Madness]

Oh, forgot to add. You could also run a truck load of carbon, this would remove the toxins if released. Now wouldn't get em all that fast, but would definetly help.

 

[miyags]

They do get huge.

 

[rhyan]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! It sounds like they are easier to keep than most make it out to be.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

What size tank do you have? Welcome to R2R!

 

[hart24601]

Wonder if running ozone would help with those particular toxins as well.

 

[mardoon]

Minimum Tank Size: 250 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 1' 8"
Color Form: White, Yellow
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Ostraciidae

 

[mardoon]

Minimum Tank Size: 250 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 1' 8"
Color Form: White, Yellow
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Ostraciidae

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Longhorn Cowfish

 

[stiky]

The release of toxins is quite rare. I have had boxfish and cowfish.cand have unfortunately lost a few. No toxin has ever been released. That isn't to say that it doesn't happen. In larger systems the toxin doesn't have enough punch to actually harm anything. If it even gets released at all. These are relatively safe fish, I had a box that let the cleaner shrimp spin him around. They may prey on inverts later when they get big. The real threat to a reef is that they are curious. They don't want to kill any coral. But if you have something like a bubble coral, kiss it goodbye. They just want to taste test everything. Hope this helps.