Where to buy Thornback Cowfish
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About Thornback Cowfish
The Thornback Cowfish displays a pale yellow to tan body with a distinctive box-like, cuboid shape reinforced by bony plates. It is characterized by horn-like protrusions (spines) above each eye and at the rear corners of the body, giving it a "thorny" appearance.
Key facts
- Difficulty Level
- Moderate - Requires some experience due to specific dietary water or tank requirements. Best suited for intermediate aquarists.
- Reef safety
- Not Reef Safe
- Diet Details
- Feed a varied diet of high-quality pellets, mysis shrimp, small crustaceans, and occasional vegetable matter. Offer food 2–3 times daily in small portions, as overeating can cause bloating and related health issues.
- Care Level
- Moderate
- Diet
- omnivore
- Temperament
- Semi Aggressive
- Care Requirements
- • 75+ gallon tank minimum; poor swimmers requiring ample space • Stable water params: 72-78°F, SG 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.3 • Strong filtration and moderate flow; cowfish are toxic when stressed • Feed varied omnivorous diet: frozen foods, algae, sponges • Avoid aggressive tankmates; generally incompatible with corals and inverts
- Common Health Issues
- Marine ich, Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder, Bacterial septicaemia, Velvet disease
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea to the Great Barrier Reef and beyond, typically found on coral reefs and rocky areas.
- Appearance
- The Thornback Cowfish displays a pale yellow to tan body with a distinctive box-like, cuboid shape reinforced by bony plates. It is characterized by horn-like protrusions (spines) above each eye and at the rear corners of the body, giving it a "thorny" appearance.
- Feeding Schedule
- 2-3 times daily
- Max Size
- 8
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