Acanthostracion quadricornis

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Facts
Latin name Acanthostracion quadricornis
Local name Scrawled cowfish
Family Ostraciidae - Acanthostracion
Origin The Mexican Golf, West Atlantic
Max length 55 cm (21.7")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 2000 l (528 gal)
Hardiness Unknown
Suitable for aquarium Suitable with care
Reef safe Not reef safe
Aggressiveness Unknown
Feed
Mostly Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...)
Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)
Soft coral
Sponges
Beware of
Threat towards crustaceans

This species poses a threat towards shrimps and crabs etc., which are relatively small.

Descriptions and further reading
Family description (Ostraciidae)

Boxfish(Ostraciidae) have a unique square shape and a particular way of swimming.
They have a rather special personality, which one quickly comes to love.

Boxfish live typically off a mixture of algae, coral polyps, zooplankton, and in some cases crustaceans.
They are not normally reef safe and when small will require gentle water circulation.

Boxfish can secrete a poison when stressed or if they die, which can in the worst case, kill the contents of a whole aquarium.
Never use the water the fish was transported in.

References and further reading

About references

Bob Fenner. The Puffers Called Box-, Cowfishes, family Ostraciidae - Wet Web Media - (English)
Richard Aspinall. 2012. Oddballs for the Marine Aquarium - Tropical Fish Hobbyist - (English)