Cowfish Or Not ?

[427HISS]

We're setting up a 125g and we have always liked the personality, shape and intelligence of the horn Cowfish. Since they can get around 8" or so, should we bring one into our family or not ?

 

[Jon Fishman]

I too am looking at one of the cowfish.

I am finding the ability to keep them alive/eating is really the biggest deterrent. Size-wise I think they require a lot less room than people realize.

I am 90% “go” for getting one.

What are your pro’s and con’s currently on them??

 

[427HISS]

Their not strong swimmers, so you can't have high flow and if you have other fast swimmers, you need to make sure they get enough food. They also have small mouths. They should be one of the first fish in the display. There's some great photo's on youtube. Such funny guys !

 

[Jon Fishman]

Ah that’s right. I have a large, slow, shy fish...... but the “low flow” is tough for my setup.

 

[Waterislife]

IMO, to small of tank, if your wanting to keep a potentially large fish start out with a bigger tank, at least 6 ft long X 24" depth(back to front)

 

[nereefpat]

Are there species that only get 8"? Which ones are you looking into?

 

[427HISS]

We have a 6' long 125g.

 

[427HISS]

Are there species that only get 8"? Which ones are you looking into?

The horn Cow can get over 10" in the oceans, 8" in aquariums.

 

[Jon Fishman]

My question would be, has anyone had success in a mixed reef tank with one. If so, I may give it a shot

 

[427HISS]

I agree. From what I've read, they won't bother the corals very much, but possible.

 

[nereefpat]

The horn Cow can get over 10" in the oceans, 8" in aquariums.

This one? https://www.fishbase.de/summary/6399

 

[saltyhog]

This one? https://www.fishbase.de/summary/6399

That says 18" maximum length!?

 

[Jon Fishman]

That says 18" maximum length!?

Long Horned Cowfish - Baby - Saltwater Fish - Miscel

The Long Horned Cowfish, Lactoria cornuta, is also known as the Longhorn Cowfish, Yellow Boxfish, or Polka Dot Cowfish. This fish is a variety of Boxfish with characteristic "horns" protruding from its head resembling a bull or cow. Though in its juvenile stage, the "horns" are yet not...

www.saltwaterfish.com

This says 20” in wild, 10” in aquariums. Who knows.......

I don’t believe they are fast growers, and at least for me, that is not the thing giving me reservations

 

[saltyhog]

Long Horned Cowfish - Baby - Saltwater Fish - Miscel

The Long Horned Cowfish, Lactoria cornuta, is also known as the Longhorn Cowfish, Yellow Boxfish, or Polka Dot Cowfish. This fish is a variety of Boxfish with characteristic "horns" protruding from its head resembling a bull or cow. Though in its juvenile stage, the "horns" are yet not...

www.saltwaterfish.com

This says 20” in wild, 10” in aquariums. Who knows.......

I don’t believe they are fast growers, and at least for me, that is not the thing giving me reservations

There was one at my LFS that grew very fast. The had trouble finding a place for him because of his size and rapid growth.

 

[Jon Fishman]

There was one at my LFS that grew very fast. The had trouble finding a place for him because of his size and rapid growth.

I guess the turnover at my LFS is so fast I’ve never seen a larger one. I would just lime to hear from someone with one in a mixed reef

 

[nereefpat]

That says 18" maximum length!?

Yep, they get huge. I'm still curious as to what species OP wants.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Lactoria fornasini is a nice one that stays small. If anyone sees one for sale let me know!

 

[427HISS]

Even bigger than I thought. But here's info as well as above stated.

https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/68/?pcatid=68

 

[427HISS]

Lactoria fornasini is a nice one that stays small. If anyone sees one for sale let me know!

Isn't this the same thing ?

Lactoria fornasini

 

[nereefpat]

Post 18 is the one I'm familiar with. It gets a foot and a half long.

19 is a different species. Looks like it stays smaller. Not sure about finding one.