Scribbled Boxfish (Ostracion Solorensis) Female

Care Level : Expert

Temperament : Peaceful

Diet : Omnivore

Reef Compatible : No

Color : Blue, Green, Tan, Yellow

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 5"

Origin : Western Pacific

Family : Ostraciidae

Minimum Tank Size : 100 gallons

Scribbled Boxfish (Ostracion Solorensis) is a species of boxfish native to the western Pacific Ocean. Its common name is reticulate boxfish. 

The Scribbled Boxfish is a unique boxfish species with beautiful black, white, and yellow striping and patterning all across its small body. The Reticulated Boxfish has an attractive spotted and scribbled pattern, with males being differentiated from females by a black base color and bluish markings. Is light in colour when young and gradually becomes darker.It has a box-shaped or pyramidal body. Although they may resemble some puffers, these fish do not "inflate" when stressed like puffers do. It grows to 12 centimeters in length.

Best kept in a tank of at least 100 gallons with a sandy substrate and plenty of live rock. Pay particular attention to the pump’s water inlet as these fish in certain circumstances, can get stuck.

This species often has a fun and interesting personality and is very shy and docile, so one should be careful when keeping it with more aggressive fish. They can usually be kept with most peaceful tankmates but should not be kept with aggressive tankmates or very active swimmers that can stress these passive weak-swimming fish. If stressed, these fish can release a toxin into the water that can be harmful to itself and other tankmates.  Large specimens may eat small fish. Avoid keeping with other Cowfish, Boxfish, Trunkfish, or, Turretfish, as they will fight. Avoid housing with Cleaner wrasse or other cleaner fish (eg small Butterflies) which may peck at the Cowfish. These fish are not Reef Safe. Many will eat corals, especially smaller-polyped corals and polyps. 

They can be fed a varied meaty diet of fresh or frozen prey in the aquarium as long as the food is appropriately sized for their relatively small mouths. They can also be fed basically anything, but make sure that they get some herbivore supplements.