Shortnose Boxfish (Juvenile) (Rhynchostracion nasus)

Also known as Common Boxfish, Cowfish, Shortsnout Boxfish, Small-nosed Boxfish, Log-nosed Boxfish, Trunkfish

Description

Also known as Common Boxfish, Cowfish, Shortsnout Boxfish, Small-nosed Boxfish, Log-nosed Boxfish, Trunkfish.

Found singly over silty mud, rock, and sandy substrates, of sheltered bays and coastal trawling grounds.
They feed on algae and invertebrates.
Length - 30cm
Depth - 2-80m
Widespread Western Pacific

The bodies of Boxfish are covered in a toxic mucus which can be released when stressed. (edit) Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/8288

1 comment

  1. Posted by Nick Hope
    June 04, 2011 at 15:29 pm - 1 person found this useful.

    This is actually a juvenile Ostracion rhinorhynchos, not Ostracion nasus. The photo at the bottom right of page 393 of "Tropical Pacific Reef Fish Identification" is incorrect and has been confirmed by Gerry Allen. The first photo on fishbase is also currently incorrect, and I have informed them.

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