WHATSTHATFISH
Log inSign up
Bony fish

Bluetail Trunkfish

Ostracion cyanurus

Also known as: Arabian Boxfish, Arabian Trunkfish, Bluetail Boxfish, Cowfish, Trunkfish

Add a photo
Adult
@bottleofscotch · Marsa Alam, Egypt · September 20091 / 7
01

Overview

Found singly, close to sheltered areas of reefs, rich in coral growth. Males and juveniles are brightly coloured, females more drab colours.
Western Indian Ocean - Red Sea to Persian Gulf

The bodies of Boxfish are covered in a toxic mucus which can be released when stressed.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Pattern
black spotspots
Behaviour
solitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Indian Ocean
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 6
LIVES IN

Found singly, close to sheltered areas of reefs, rich in coral growth.

RANGE
04

Adult photos 7

05

Discussion

Comments are checked by a moderator before they appear.

No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.

    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderTetraodontiformes
    5. familyOstraciidae
    6. genusOstracion
    7. speciesOstracion cyanurus Rüppell, 1828

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Boxfishes (Ostraciidae)

    Yellow Boxfish

    Ostracion cubicum

    JuvenileAdult

    Buffalo Trunkfish

    Lactophrys trigonus

    16 photos

    Honeycomb Cowfish

    Acanthostracion polygonium

    JuvenileAdult

    Horn-nosed Boxfish

    Ostracion rhinorhynchos

    9 photos

    Humpback Turretfish

    Tetrosomus gibbosus

    4 photos

    Longhorn Cowfish

    Lactoria cornuta

    JuvenileAdult

    Roundbelly Cowfish

    Lactoria diaphana

    0 photos

    Scrawled Cowfish

    Acanthostracion quadricornis

    6 photos

    Shortnose Boxfish

    Ostracion nasus

    1 photo

    Smallspine Turretfish

    Tetrosomus reipublicae

    0 photos

    Smooth Trunkfish

    Lactophrys triqueter

    JuvenileAdult

    Solor Boxfish

    Ostracion solorense

    6 photos