TRUNKFISHES/ COWFISH/ BOXFISH
OSTRACIIDAE
OSTRACIIDAE
General:
Some species of trunkfishes secrete ostracitoxin, poisonous to other fishes and, to some extent, even to trunkfishes.
Feed on small sessile invertebrates and on algae.
They are territorial and haremic, spawning pelagic eggs at dusk.
Other common names in use are cowfishes and trunkfishes.
About 60 cm maximum length.
A bony carapace enclosing body. Pelvic skeleton absent. Spinous dorsal lacking. Dorsal fin rays 9-13. Anal fin rays 9-13. Non-protrusible upper jaw. Vertebrae usually 18.
Some species of trunkfishes secrete ostracitoxin, poisonous to other fishes and, to some extent, even to trunkfishes.
Feed on small sessile invertebrates and on algae.
They are territorial and haremic, spawning pelagic eggs at dusk.
Other common names in use are cowfishes and trunkfishes.
About 60 cm maximum length.
A bony carapace enclosing body. Pelvic skeleton absent. Spinous dorsal lacking. Dorsal fin rays 9-13. Anal fin rays 9-13. Non-protrusible upper jaw. Vertebrae usually 18.
Etymology
Greek, ostrakon = shell
Greek, ostrakon = shell
JUVENILES
