Boxfishes
Boxfishes are marine fishes of the family Ostraciidae, found throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are easily recognised by their rigid box-like body armour formed from fused bony plates, giving them a distinctive angular appearance.
Members of the family are commonly known as boxfishes and cowfishes, while some species are also referred to as trunkfishes. The closely related trunkfishes of the family Aracanidae are distinguished by having isolated bony plates on the caudal peduncle and lacking eight branched caudal-fin rays.
Some boxfishes can secrete a toxic mucus known as ostracitoxin when stressed. This toxin can kill other fishes in confined spaces, including aquaria. Some species have also been reported to possess toxic flesh and should not be consumed. Other members of the order Tetraodontiformes, including pufferfishes (Tetraodontidae) and porcupinefishes (Diodontidae), possess different defensive adaptations and varying levels of toxicity.
Boxfishes inhabit coral reefs, rocky reefs, seagrass beds and sandy bottoms, generally from shallow coastal waters to depths of about 100 m. They are slow swimmers, using mainly their dorsal, anal and pectoral fins for propulsion while the body remains rigid. They feed mainly on benthic invertebrates, algae and other small organisms.
The family contains approximately 28 living species in 8 genera. Around six species have been recorded from Malaysian waters.
Members of the family are commonly known as boxfishes and cowfishes, while some species are also referred to as trunkfishes. The closely related trunkfishes of the family Aracanidae are distinguished by having isolated bony plates on the caudal peduncle and lacking eight branched caudal-fin rays.
Some boxfishes can secrete a toxic mucus known as ostracitoxin when stressed. This toxin can kill other fishes in confined spaces, including aquaria. Some species have also been reported to possess toxic flesh and should not be consumed. Other members of the order Tetraodontiformes, including pufferfishes (Tetraodontidae) and porcupinefishes (Diodontidae), possess different defensive adaptations and varying levels of toxicity.
Boxfishes inhabit coral reefs, rocky reefs, seagrass beds and sandy bottoms, generally from shallow coastal waters to depths of about 100 m. They are slow swimmers, using mainly their dorsal, anal and pectoral fins for propulsion while the body remains rigid. They feed mainly on benthic invertebrates, algae and other small organisms.
The family contains approximately 28 living species in 8 genera. Around six species have been recorded from Malaysian waters.
Scientific Name: Lactoria cornuta (Linnaeus, 1758)
English Name: Longhorn Cowfish
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Buntal Kotak, Buntal Kumbang, Buntal Tanduk, Lelembu, Kaban Tanduk
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Buntel Koper, Sapi Sapi, Penginang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาปักเป้ากล่องเขาวัว (Plāk pạkpêā kl̀xng k̄heā wạw)
Main Identification Features: Body enclosed in a rigid box-like shell formed by fused bony plates. Two long sharp spines projecting anteriorly from eyes. Two sharp, stout spines projecting posteriorly from rear end of ventrolateral ridge. Body greenish to yellowish with blue or white spots.
Size: Maximum total length 50 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Rocky and coral reefs, usually to 50 m depth. Adults are solitary while juveniles often form small groups. Feeds on benthic invertebrates hidden in the sand by blowing away the sand with its downturned tubular mouth.
Remarks: Some species of Ostraciidae are reported to have toxic flesh and able to secrete ostracitoxin when distressed, which is highly toxic, both to other fishes and themselves in enclosed areas.
Scientific Name: Rhynchostracion nasus (Bloch, 1785)
English Name: Shortnose Boxfish
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Buntal Kotak, Buntal Peti, Buntal Panjang, Kaban Tanda
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Buntel Koper, Penginang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาปักเข้าสี่เหลี่ยม (Plā pạk k̄hêā s̄ī̀h̄elī̀ym)
Main Identification Features: Body encased in a hexagonal bony shell formed by enlarged, thick bony plates. Mouth subterminal with thick lips. Small protuberance above the mouth and a distinctly concave snout profile. No pelvic fin. Anal fin origin behind dorsal fin. Body with dark spots.
Size: Maximum total length 30 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters associated with coral reefs, to 80 m depth. Feeds on benthic invertebrates.
Remarks: Some species of Ostraciidae are reported to have toxic flesh and are able to secrete ostracitoxin when distressed, which is highly toxic to other fishes and themselves in enclosed areas. Although this particular species has not been definitely incriminated as toxic, it is believed to be poisonous at times.
English Name: Longhorn Cowfish
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Buntal Kotak, Buntal Kumbang, Buntal Tanduk, Lelembu, Kaban Tanduk
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Buntel Koper, Sapi Sapi, Penginang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาปักเป้ากล่องเขาวัว (Plāk pạkpêā kl̀xng k̄heā wạw)
Main Identification Features: Body enclosed in a rigid box-like shell formed by fused bony plates. Two long sharp spines projecting anteriorly from eyes. Two sharp, stout spines projecting posteriorly from rear end of ventrolateral ridge. Body greenish to yellowish with blue or white spots.
Size: Maximum total length 50 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Rocky and coral reefs, usually to 50 m depth. Adults are solitary while juveniles often form small groups. Feeds on benthic invertebrates hidden in the sand by blowing away the sand with its downturned tubular mouth.
Remarks: Some species of Ostraciidae are reported to have toxic flesh and able to secrete ostracitoxin when distressed, which is highly toxic, both to other fishes and themselves in enclosed areas.
Scientific Name: Rhynchostracion nasus (Bloch, 1785)
English Name: Shortnose Boxfish
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Buntal Kotak, Buntal Peti, Buntal Panjang, Kaban Tanda
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Buntel Koper, Penginang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาปักเข้าสี่เหลี่ยม (Plā pạk k̄hêā s̄ī̀h̄elī̀ym)
Main Identification Features: Body encased in a hexagonal bony shell formed by enlarged, thick bony plates. Mouth subterminal with thick lips. Small protuberance above the mouth and a distinctly concave snout profile. No pelvic fin. Anal fin origin behind dorsal fin. Body with dark spots.
Size: Maximum total length 30 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters associated with coral reefs, to 80 m depth. Feeds on benthic invertebrates.
Remarks: Some species of Ostraciidae are reported to have toxic flesh and are able to secrete ostracitoxin when distressed, which is highly toxic to other fishes and themselves in enclosed areas. Although this particular species has not been definitely incriminated as toxic, it is believed to be poisonous at times.
