Yellow boxfish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 38 cm. The largest on record measured 45 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 6 Ostraciidae species on LumaReef: 12 cm (Striped Boxfish) to 46 cm (Longhorn cowfish).

Yellow boxfish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 300 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Gallery tank or larger.

Yellow boxfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 89 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Volitans lionfish, Niger triggerfish, and Naso tang.

Yellow boxfish depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 1 to 280 m down. Deeper than most Ostraciidae on LumaReef (1–80 m).

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Yellow boxfish

Ostracion cubicus

It lives inside a rigid box; the body never bends, only the fins whir.

The Yellow boxfish (Ostracion cubicus) is a tropical marine fish of the family Ostraciidae. It lives on and around reefs, between 1 and 280 m deep. Adults grow to about 38 cm; the largest on record measured 45 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 300 cm long and water at 23–27 °C.

Size: 38 cm
Smallest tank: 300 cm
Temperature: 23–27 °C
Care: Demanding

In the aquarium

Temperature23–27 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Lives on its own
Coral: Nips corals

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litresToo small
Living room180 cm · 650 litresToo small
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litresToo small
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres24 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along89 species

and 65 more species

Caution1 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Lined seahorse

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Largest on record: 45 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

1 m280 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderTetraodontiformes
FamilyOstraciidae
GenusOstracion
SpeciesOstracion cubicus

In other languages

German: Gelbbrauner Kofferfisch
Spanish: Cofre Amarillo
French: Poisson-Coffre Jaune
Italian: Pesce scatola giallo
Dutch: Geelbruine Koffervis
Turkish: Sarı Kutu Balığı
Russian: Кузовок-кубик
Japanese: ミナミハコフグ
Chinese: 粒突箱魨 (金木瓜)

Quick answers

Yellow boxfish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 38 cm. The largest on record measured 45 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 6 Ostraciidae species on LumaReef: 12 cm (Striped Boxfish) to 46 cm (Longhorn cowfish).
Yellow boxfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 300 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Gallery tank or larger.
Yellow boxfish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5.
Yellow boxfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 89 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Volitans lionfish, Niger triggerfish, and Naso tang.
Yellow boxfish: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Yellow boxfish and corals: is it reef safe?: No, it may nip at corals.
Yellow boxfish depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 1 to 280 m down. Deeper than most Ostraciidae on LumaReef (1–80 m).