Boxfish

ID points

• The body is encased in bony plates, almost square in cross section
• Juveniles are yellow with black dots, like a dice
• Only the mouth, eyes and fins can move, so it swims stiffly

Basics

Family

Ostraciidae

Length

15–25 cm

Depth

1-50 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Tropical coral reefs

Habitat

Shallow tropical coral reefs

Diet

Algae, benthic invertebrates

Easily confused with

CowfishTwo long horns point forward above the eyes, like the horns of a cowBlackspotted PufferSparse large black spots on a grey-blue or yellow groundBlue-ringed OctopusElectric blue rings flare over the whole body when it is provoked

Fun fact

The body is built from hard bony plates fused into a box shape, with only the fins and the mouth left showing. It swims clumsily, and rather adorably.