Hawaiian Boxfish Male

Hawaiian Boxfish - Male

Scientific Name: Ostracion meleagris

Origin: Hawaii

Maximum Size: Around 25 cm

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Safe: With caution

Care Level: Advanced

Description

The male Hawaiian Boxfish is one of the most distinctive boxfish available. Mature males develop an incredible combination of electric blue, orange and yellow across the lower half of the body, contrasted against a darker upper surface covered in bright white spots.

This species is strongly sexually dimorphic, with males and females looking dramatically different from one another. Hawaiian specimens belong to the Hawaiian population of Ostracion meleagris, often referred to as Ostracion meleagris camurum.

Boxfish have a rigid, armour-like body and swim mainly using their small fins, giving them their characteristic hovering style. They are peaceful, inquisitive fish that spend much of their time slowly exploring the rockwork and substrate looking for food.

Feeding

Hawaiian Boxfish are omnivorous and should be offered a varied diet containing both meaty and algae-based foods. Frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, quality marine pellets and algae-based foods are all suitable.

In the wild they feed on a mixture of small invertebrates, sponges, tunicates, molluscs, copepods and algae, so variety is particularly important. They may also blow into the sand while searching for small prey.

Avoid relying heavily on floating foods, as boxfish can accidentally ingest air while feeding at the surface.

Compatibility

These are peaceful fish and should be housed with relatively calm tank mates. Aggressive or persistent fish can easily stress them, and they are not well suited to tanks dominated by highly competitive feeders.

They are generally safe with corals, but may investigate or feed on small ornamental invertebrates, sponges and other sessile organisms, so they are best described as reef safe with caution.

Like other boxfish, this species is capable of releasing a powerful toxin into the water if severely stressed, injured or dying. This is uncommon in a healthy, settled fish, but it is an important consideration when choosing tank mates and planning the aquarium.

Why We Like It

Male Hawaiian Boxfish are genuinely spectacular. The combination of bright blue, orange spotting and the white-spotted upper body is unlike almost anything else in the marine hobby.

They are also full of personality. Their unusual swimming style and tendency to investigate everything around them makes them one of those fish that customers stop and watch for far longer than they expected.

Care Notes

• Best kept with peaceful, non-aggressive tank mates.
• Provide plenty of open swimming room alongside mature rockwork.
• Feed a varied diet containing both meaty and algae-based foods.
• Avoid excessive surface feeding to reduce the risk of swallowing air.
• Reef safe with caution around small invertebrates and sessile organisms.
• Boxfish can release toxins when severely stressed, injured or dying.
• Maintain excellent water quality and avoid sudden environmental changes.