Spiny Box Burrfish

(Chilomycterus schoepfii)

Chilomycterus Burrfish should be added to well established aquariums with plenty of rockwork, caves, cracks, crevices and ledges for hiding. Wide open swim areas should also be provided. Burrfish have the ability to inflate themselves as a defence mechanism, they will also use their exterior sharp spines to ward off potential threats. Burrfish are slow moving fish and require peaceful tank mates larger than themselves. They are nocturnal feeding on mainly large crustaceans, urchins, sea stars, worms and may pick at soft corals. Feed a diet rich in meaty foods multiple times daily.

Spiny Box Burrfish are also sometimes known as the Striped Burrfish. Not often seen in the aquarium trade. Spiny Box Burrfish are a light cream to gray color with vertical thin stripes and large dark spots on their back. Juveniles tend to be an overall yellow with black stripes. Spiny Box Burrfish can grow to almost 12".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 100 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareModerateModerate CareDifficultDifficult
  • Behavior: BehaviorAgressiveAgressive BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food DietLive FoodLive Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightMediumMedium