Thanks Steve, it really sucked finding him dead :cry: He was doing so well, I really though he was going to survive for a long time. I had been really looking forward to watching him grow. Also mad at myself for not closely checking the tank before I left for work yesterday morning. I usually would check in the morning to see him and make sure he's ok, but I didn't yesterday morning, so now I'm wondering how long was he dead for.

Also I found him beside a rock sort of wedged in beside it but not really stuck in it. He was fairly easy to pull out with the net, so I don't think he got stuck in the rock, but I have heard of them getting spooked and wedging themselves into the rock and dying, so I really hope that's not what happened. However I can't help but wonder if only I checked on him before I left for work, because if he was stuck then maybe I could of unstuck him and saved him. But I guess I'll never know, and honestly when I found him he didn't seem stuck in the rock but it's hard to say for sure :sad: Needless to say it's driving me nuts not knowing what really happened or if he was still alive or not before I went to work :mmph:

As far as I'm aware it's not a myth but apparently (from what I've read) boxfish rarely ever release the toxin they have in them. They pretty much only will if they are being severely stressed out or picked on. I've also read that there are certain types of boxfish that are more toxic then others.

I didnt mean to say that they dont have a toxin, as that is proven, but i have yet to come across any stories of them dying and releasing it....so maybe more of a rare occurance....

Steve

Could it be that it was caught using cyanide and that damaged its internal organs? Even thought it ate fine but couldn't digest the food?
Or the foods we feed them are not their nature diet and they can't get enough of whatever nutrients they need and waste away.
Just a thought.

I agree that cyanide can cause this type of death, but I dont think that is the case with this one, I know where it came from and this facility does not sell any fish caught with cyanide.

Steve

Doubtful that it could of been cyanide since boxfish are very easy to catch. They literally swim right up to you and I've seen them go right into a container (mine even tried to swim into my net that I used to rise the food with :surprise:) also you could probably pick them up with your hands if you wanted to/or were brave enough to. I see no reason why a person would need to use cyanide to catch them.

Not sure about the diet but I know a few people who have had success with boxfish. However the people I know, who have had the most long term success, own large boxfish over 8 inches in size. Seems to me many of the small ones don't live very long, but I'm not sure why :sad:

Nice pics. I particularly like the second shot. He's got that "don't mess with me -or else" look.

Sorry for the loss.

Thanks, in my tank journal thread I titled that pic. "Are you lookin at me PUNK"

Does this mean you only use MAC certified dealers Steve? This, I am sure, is the only way to say 100% that cyanide was not used in collection.

For fish, yes Patrick, have been for years.... this is how i know

Steve

Nice to hear. I was not aware.