Cow fish help

SleepyPirate · #1 06-23-2011, 10:12 PM

Interested in purchasing a cow fish, anyone have problems or any information on them? They look very cool!

bkelly · #2 06-23-2011, 10:57 PM

they get ich bad, and easily stuck to powerheads then too weak and die. Otherwise very enjoyable fish, wouldnt recommend them though.

Flash · #3 06-23-2011, 11:11 PM

or the fact they can wipe out an enitre tank with it's toxins! lol

naesco · #4 06-23-2011, 11:18 PM

They grow to 18 inches. How big is your tank?

SleepyPirate · #5 06-24-2011, 12:31 AM

Ok What?> toxins ich and cant swim away from powerheads... my tanks 90 g
whats this toxins stuff! I can handle loosing a fish but not an entire tank.

globaldesigns · #6 06-24-2011, 12:57 AM

check this link out:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...4+68&pcatid=68

Chris S · #7 06-26-2011, 02:39 AM

They are said to be toxic, but I've seen many die with no ill-effects on the other inhabitants. I'm thinking it may more likely be something released due to predation, rather than disease, malnutrition, etc.

Magma · #8 06-26-2011, 02:50 AM

They look cute when they are small but like its been said before they get sick, or stuck and the toxins can nuke a tank if they are released..

IMO one of the fish best left to sea

freezetyle · #9 06-26-2011, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naesco

They grow to 18 inches. How big is your tank?

+1

If "George" is still in the tanks at elite aquatics on macleod it might be good to go see how big he is. that and they really like to spit water at things, so depending on how high above the lights are on your tank that could cause a problem

Axeman · #10 06-26-2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bean

or the fact they can wipe out an enitre tank with it's toxins! lol

The toxins are only pproduced by members of the genus lactophrys, cowfish are of the genus lactoria and have not been shown to have a toxin In them. I'd put my money on all of anecdotal reports of a cowfish death resulting In a tank crash being the result of the cowfish being mpre sensitive to some toxin in the tank and simply dieing before the other in habitants.
I've had a longhorn cowfish in my tank for 3 months now and he's managed to survive a tank move, several aquascapes and me leaving the lights on for 72 hours. Can anyone show any studies showing cowfish containing toxins?