©David Witherall and Svenja Crombach and Ellie Altzar: Yellow Boxfish, Ostracion cubicus, Ocean Freedom, Upolu Reef
Colours
Distinguishing features
A medium sized fish with a distinct box-like bony cover to the body. Small individuals are yellow with black spots, while larger specimens are dark brown with small blue dots. Very large individuals are purple grey with indistinct spots and a prominent lump above the mouth.
Size
- Up to 45 cm (Standard length)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
Comments
Guardians: Svenja Crombach and Ellie Altzar
by David Witherall
Distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Areas of rich coral growth with nearby areas of rubble for feeding.
Can be found in most sheltered locations around the island.
Behaviour
The Yellow Boxfish is a benthic omnivore, feeding on a wide variety of invertebrates such as crustaceans, ascidians, worms, and molluscs, and it will also take some algae. It is usually seen singly, swimming slowly using the dorsal and anal fins, and will usually retreat to a shelter if approached closely. Boxfishes have a skin poison which they secrete if threatened, and this can be fatal to other fishes kept with the boxfish in a small aquarium.
Web resources
References
- Kalmanzon, E. and E. Zlotkin (2000). An ichthyotoxic protein in the defensive skin secretion of the Red Sea trunkfish Ostracion cubicus, Marine Biology, 136: 471-476. LIRS catalog number 90076.