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Family Ostraciidae
Boxfishes and Cowfishes
| Members of this family have rigid box-like
bodies composed of hard scales that are fused together. Holes in this
shell are present for sensory structures, digestive tract, gills, and
fins. The skin of some species produces a toxic mucus under stress.
The toxin is so powerful that it kills anything in a confined space for some
time including itself, so it is unwise to capture or keep these fishes without
the proper facilities. Swimming is done by undulating the dorsal, anal,
and pectoral fins while the caudal fin is reserved for a quick escape. |
| The family as a whole are referred to as
Trunkfishes. Cowfishes have a pair of spines above the eyes; boxfishes
don't. Young are born as females but only a few will become males during
adulthood. They graze upon encrusting organisms including sponges,
tunicates, hydroids, and
algae. |
HAWAII
Lactoria diaphana
Futo, Izu, Japan, 30 feet |
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SPINY or
ROUNDBELLY COWFISH
| Belly is very convex
and spines are short. Up to 10 inches, usually less. Very rare in Hawaii
but fairly common in Japan.
Probably prefers cold water & rubble habitat. Spotty but wide
distribution
throughout the Indo-Pacific. |
Lactoria fornasini
Cargo Pier, Midway Atoll, 30 feet |
Yawatano, Izu, Japan, 30 feet |
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THORNBACK COWFISH
MAKUKANA
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Uncommon and well-hidden among sandy rubble and
seaweeds. Usually less than 3.5 inches long. Two prominent spines above the eyes.
Bright blue lines may be present. Common in Japan.
Indo-Pacific including Hawaii.
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Ostracion meleagris
Female, Sharks Cove, Oahu, 40 feet |
Male, Sharkfin, Lanai, 50 feet
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Indo-Pacific color, Male, Keauhou, Hawaii, 50 feet |
Male, Blowhole, Oahu, 20 feet |
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SPOTTED
BOXFISH MOA
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Common on shallow reefs.
Up to 6 inches. Females are dark brown with small white dots overall.
Males are dark blue with orange markings and black
above with large white spots. Hawaiian and Mexican males usually lack orange
on the side. Indo-Pacific, Hawaii, and Tropical Eastern Pacific.
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Ostracion whitleyi
Female, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 35 feet |
Female, Kewalo Pipe, Oahu, 50 feet
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Male, Sharkfin, Lana'i, 60 feet |
Male, Sharkfin, Lana'i, 60 feet
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Female, Kewalo Hump, Oahu, 85 feet |
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WHITLEY'S BOXFISH
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Brown and white females are
uncommon in Hawaii while blue males are extremely rare and generally
found in deep water. Up to 6 inches. French
Polynesia and Hawaii.
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INDO-PACIFIC
Lactoria
cornuta
Alofau, Tutuila, American Samoa, 3 feet |
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LONGSPINE COWFISH
| Uncommon throughout the Indo-Pacific. About 6 inches. |
WESTERN ATLANTIC
Lactophrys triqueter
Grand Bahama Island, 45 feet |
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SPOTTED or SMOOTH TRUNKFISH
| Fairly common on reefs from Canada to the Caribbean. Up to 18.5
inches. Edible. |
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