| Family: |
Ostraciidae (Boxfishes) |
| Max. size: |
34 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 8 - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Southeast Atlantic: off Swakopmund, Namibia (Ref. 11228). Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific: South Africa east through Indonesia to the Easter Island and Peru, north to southern Japan, Hawaii, and southern California, south to New Caledonia, New South Wales and Kermadec Islands (Ref. 8879). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Small spine on back and short spines before eyes (Ref. 3141). Caudal fin rays 10 (Ref. 1602).
Description: Characterized further by pale greenish grey body color with brown blotching and fine "honeycomb" reticulum; short spine extending anteriorly from upper edge of each eye; posteriorly directed second pair of spines, one on each side of lower rear edge of carapace; middle of back with small thorn-like spine; steep and concave dorsal profile of snout; broadly rounded ventral profile of carapace; slightly rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabit coral and rocky reefs of coastal areas (Ref. 9806, 48637). Also common on offshore sand and mudflats (Ref. 48637). Young fish occur in oceanic waters, at or near the surface (Ref. 2850); semi-transparent young may enter estuaries (Ref. 3141). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feed on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 9806). A large number of juveniles were found in the stomachs of flatheads (Ref. 48637). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 August 2023 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
venomous |
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