| Family: |
Ostraciidae (Boxfishes) |
| Max. size: |
12 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean and Indonesia to Fiji, north to the Philippines. Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797) and the northern northern Great Barrier Reef (Ref. 9710). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Description: Characterized by male having bluish grey to black body color, back with pale blue vermiculations, broad black stripe containing pair of light blue or white lines at upper side and remainder of side blue with black-edged white spots; female yellowish brown on side with reticulum of broad black lines and spots, maze of fine black lines on back; carapace quadrangular in cross section, nearly flat on top and slightly convex at bottom; straight to slightly convex dorsal profile of snout, lacking bony protuberance above upper lip; rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits clear coastal reefs in rich invertebrate habitat on shallow crests or upper zone of slopes to about 15 meters depth (Ref. 48637). Solitary or in pairs (Ref. 90102). Relatively uncommon inhabitant of coral rich areas of seaward reefs. Sexually dimorphic (Ref. 37816). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
venomous |
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