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yesterday i saw a really stunning long horned cowfish. I was going to buy it...
But then i thought i remember reading that when stressed the fish can release poison into the water, is this true?

also would this fish limit my stocking even more...

180g (4x3x2) with (4x2x2 sump/fuge)
1x BIG Zebra Moray
1x BIG Lionfish

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''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

Yes it is true. I think it does have to be quite stressed though and new activated carbon will absorb the toxin. We've had a few box fish at work, and I've never seen it happen. Just be sure nobody is picking on him and that there's plenty of food to go around.

With a big moray and lionfish, I don't really think you can limit your stocking more really.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I've done a lot of research reg this fish and others such as the box fish. I'm pretty certain they are safe to keep as long as they are alive. It's when they die that they are reported to release the toxin, and even then the reports of it happening are sketchy at best.

With that in mind it would still be a risk, and I'm not sure I would take it with a ray in the tank as they are more sensitive than most other fish.

Present: L183, L114, L330, LDA33, L059, L340, L136, L399, Clown, Whip Tail

Past: L001, L239, L200, L134, L030, L110, L204, L260, LDA08, L226, Ancistrs sp3 albino as well as calico, L187 (sp2), Common Hypostomus punctatus

thanks people

one more question

will a cow stop me from getting fast moving fish such as a tang or sorts?

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''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

TBH, I'm not sure. I do'nt think those buggers would compete really well with a very fast fish like a wrasse. You would have to be certain that food got to the cowfish.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I've had Long Horned Cowfish with Powder Blues, Yellow Tangs and Kole Tangs - they've been fine together BUT you do have to basically hand-feed the cowfish otherwise they don't get any food.