Yellow boxfish – Ostracion cubicum

Yellow boxfish, Blue-spotted Box-fish, Cubed Boxfish, Cubical Boxfish, Polka Dot Boxfish, Yellow Box-fish, Yellow Trunkfish, Ostracion cubicum
Size: 45 cm
Depth: 1 - 280 m

American Samoa, Andaman and Nicobar, Australia, Bahrain, Cambodia, China, Cocos Islands, Cook Islands, Egypt, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Reunion Island, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen

Arabian Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Bengal, Celebes Sea, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Great Barrier Reef, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Aqaba, Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, South China Sea, Sulu Sea, Tasman Sea, Yellow Sea

The Blue-spotted Box-fish, Cubed Boxfish, Cubical Boxfish, Polka Dot Boxfish, Yellow Box-fish, Yellow Trunkfish, scientifically known as Ostracion cubicum, is a fascinating and distinctive fish species. It is easily recognizable by its unique cube-like body shape and vibrant yellow coloration adorned with blue spots. This fish, often referred to as the “Yellow Trunkfish,” is a captivating sight in its natural environment.

Description and Characteristics

The Ostracion cubicum is a relatively small fish, reaching a maximum size of 45.0 cm. Its most striking feature is its rigid, cube-shaped body encased in bony plates that resemble a box. These plates serve as a protective shell, making it a difficult target for predators. Its bright yellow body is covered with numerous small, blue spots, giving it a mesmerizing polka-dot appearance. This striking coloration is an effective camouflage technique, blending seamlessly with the coral reefs it inhabits.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Ostracion cubicum is a primarily reef-associated fish, found in a variety of marine zones. This species thrives in lagoons, seaward-facing reefs, and the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones. It is commonly observed at depths ranging from 1.0 to 280.0 meters, encompassing the neritic zone, which extends from the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at approximately 200 meters. Its presence is widespread across these marine ecosystems, indicating its adaptability to various environments.

Taxonomy

The species Ostracion cubicum belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Tetraodontiformes, and Family: Ostraciidae. This classification reflects its close evolutionary relationships with other boxfish species and its unique characteristics within the order of Tetraodontiformes, which also includes pufferfish and triggerfish.

Feeding

The Ostracion cubicum is an omnivorous fish, feeding on a diverse range of food sources. Its diet includes algae, clams, small fish, invertebrates such as krill and mysis, sea squirts, sponges, worms, zoanthids, and zooplankton. This versatile diet allows it to thrive in a variety of environments, utilizing available resources effectively.

Associated Species

Image References

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