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Yellow Spotted Cube
Yellow Spotted Boxfish or cube (Ostracion cubicus) is probably the most common in the aquarium trade. They can attain lengths of 20 inches. Because of their potentially large size, they require a tank of 135 to 180 gallons. Surprisingly, they have the ability to jump out of an open aquarium. Hence, aquarists will need to keep a secure lid over their boxfish tank. Like all boxfish of the genus Ostracion, Yellow cubes have potential to exude toxin that can kill tank inhabitants. However, they are not as notorious for this as Blue boxfish are. As juveniles, they display a bright yellow body coloration covered by black dots. In fact, they are often referred to as dice or cubes because their dramatic contrasting color and markings resemble dice. As they mature, the dots develop encompassing white rings. The overall body coloration fades to pale yellow, but very large adults can appear bluish gray. Some individuals develop a protruding hump above their upper lip as they age. This species is often found in lagoons and seaward reefs of 1 to 35m in depth. They typically ingest polychaete worms, algae, small bivalves, gastropods, mollusks, crustaceans and sometimes, smaller fish. Newly acquired individuals prefer to have caves or rock work in their tank to hide behind. Their care is similar to the Longhorn Cowfish. The species ranges from the Red Sea to Tuam, and Ryuk to New Zealand, Lord Howe and Rappa Islands. Occasionally, this specimen is encountered around Hawaii as well.
View more boxfish photos at Jeff's Dive Gallery.
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