Proper ID on Boxfish

My understanding is this happens if they die. A buddy had one for about 3 years with no issues.

 

LOL I edited while you quoted.LOL Stress causes the toxin to be secreted through the slime coat.
If his Damsel is grabbing it by the head the chances are good that he has the toxin in his sytem already.Not a fish I would choose.

 

Run some activated carbon and replenish it frequently. Should alleviate concerns for now.

 

Frankly if the boxfish assassinated the Damsel I wouldn't feel too bad...ok I would but that fish is an ass.

One of them will probably have to go and it will most likely be the easier of the two to catch.

I've not seen the boxfish yet today but so far everybody, butthole fish included seem fine right now.

 

I saw one exactly like the one you bought at my LFS yesterday. I was so tempted to get it because it's so darn cute but I had it in my mind, not reef safe........I've also heard they can be difficult to keep alive but it sounds like whatever your friend did worked and proved that wrong! Have you seen the soda bottle trap? There have been a couple of postings on using this with success with some fast, difficult to catch fish.

 

Unfortunately if it does release toxins it will kill itself as well.

 

Well sadly it didn't matter. Wasn't the damsel that caused the problem as I can best estimate the current was a larger issue. High water turnover, strong current and a weak swimmer didn't work out well.

I did get it out before it did anything further.

My stupid fault for taking a flyer on something I didn't fully understand. Won't make that same mistake again.

Thanks

 

Believe me we have all been there.

 

FWIW, from what I could see in the photo, the fish looked a lot like a thornback cowfish (Lactoria fornasini). Sorry you lost it.