Humpback Turretfish (Tetrosomus gibbosus) Care Guide
Tetrosomus gibbosus is a triangular-bodied Indo-West Pacific boxfish that releases toxins when stressed and reaches about 30 cm.
Overview
Tetrosomus gibbosus is a boxfish of the family Ostraciidae, native to the Indo-West Pacific. It has a triangular cross-section with a prominent dorsal hump, the feature that gives it common names such as humpback turretfish, camel cowfish and thornbacked boxfish. Like other boxfishes, it can release toxins into the water when stressed or disturbed, which is a key consideration when keeping the species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Ostraciidae
- Genus: Tetrosomus
- Scientific name: Tetrosomus gibbosus
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species ranges across the Indo-West Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to Indonesia, north to southern Japan and south to northern Australia. It occupies deep coastal slopes and sheltered muddy or silty substrates, and is occasionally found in shallower water near seagrass beds. It has also entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal, first recorded there in 1988.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L (132 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. In the wild it feeds on benthic invertebrates; reported food items include seaweeds, sponges, molluscs, worms and crustaceans taken from the bottom. A varied diet offered twice daily suits its slow, deliberate feeding style.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, slow-moving fish that swims mostly in the middle of the water column. It should be housed only with equally peaceful, slow-feeding tankmates. Aggressive species, triggerfish, eels and any stress-inducing companions should be avoided, because stress can prompt the fish to release its toxin and harm the whole tank.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2009).