Scrawled Blue Spot Cowfish (Acanthostracion Quadricornis)

The Scrawled Blue Spot Cowfish is a unique and eye-catching boxfish, celebrated for its distinctive pattern of irregular blue spots and scrawled markings on a robust, box-shaped body. Its striking appearance and unusual form make it a standout addition to large marine aquariums. While its slow and deliberate swimming behavior contributes to a serene tank atmosphere, this species requires a mature, stable environment and careful feeding to maintain optimal health.

Care Information
Maximum Size: Up to 8 inches.
Tank Size: 125 gallons minimum; requires a spacious tank with plenty of live rock, open swimming areas, and a sandy substrate to mimic its natural habitat.
Diet: Omnivorous; in the wild, it grazes on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates. In captivity, it thrives on a varied diet of high-quality marine algae, supplemented with frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and other meaty foods to ensure proper nutrition and vibrant coloration.
Water Temp: 72-78°F.
Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
Aggression: Peaceful; generally non-aggressive and best housed with other similarly peaceful, larger tankmates.
Skill Level: Advanced; requires stable, mature water conditions and careful, consistent feeding practices.
Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe when well-fed; does not normally harm corals or invertebrates, although its specialized dietary needs mean it is best suited to fish-only or carefully managed reef setups.

Special Feature – Distinctive Patterning & Unique Body Shape
The Scrawled Blue Spot Cowfish is especially notable for its unique, scrawled pattern of blue spots across its body, which provides excellent camouflage in its natural reef environment. Its box-like shape and slow, methodical swimming add an intriguing dynamic to any aquarium.

Compatibility
This species thrives in community tanks with other peaceful, larger fish. Due to its slow movement and specialized diet, it should not be housed with aggressive or fin-nipping species that might stress it or compete for food.

Typical Habitat
Distribution: Native to the Indo-Pacific, the Scrawled Blue Spot Cowfish is typically found in coral reef environments with sandy substrates and abundant live rock.
Tank Setup: Mimic its natural habitat by providing a large, mature aquarium featuring plenty of open swimming space, live rock for grazing, and a sandy substrate for natural foraging.