Spotted Boxfish

The Spotted Boxfish is a visually striking member of the boxfish family that exhibits remarkable sexual dimorphism. Males display a stunning combination of bright blue sides covered in orange or yellow spots, with a dark dorsal surface, making them among the most colorful boxfish in the hobby. Females and juveniles are considerably more subdued, featuring a dark brown to black body densely covered with white spots. This dramatic difference between the sexes means that the same species can look like two entirely different fish depending on the specimen.

Reaching a maximum size of about 10 inches, the Spotted Boxfish is a moderately sized member of its family and requires a tank of at least 125 gallons. In the wild, it inhabits coral reefs and rocky areas throughout the Indo-Pacific, where it feeds on a diverse diet of sponges, tunicates, algae, and small benthic invertebrates. Like all boxfish, it moves through the water with a characteristic hovering motion, propelled by its small pectoral and caudal fins while its rigid carapace provides protection from predators.

As with all members of the Ostraciidae family, the Spotted Boxfish possesses the ability to release ostracitoxin when severely stressed, making careful tankmate selection and environmental stability paramount. The toxin can be released during shipping, aggressive encounters, or sudden environmental changes, potentially killing every other fish in the system. Despite this risk, the Spotted Boxfish can be a rewarding aquarium inhabitant when provided with a stress-free environment. Males in particular are jaw-droppingly beautiful and develop interactive personalities, often greeting their owners at feeding time.