Classification / Names Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa

Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) > Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and filefishes) > Ostraciidae (Boxfishes)
Etymology: Ostracion: Greek, ostrakon = shell (Ref. 45335). More on author: Linnaeus.

Environment / Climate / Range Ecology

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 280 m (Ref. 50734), usually 1 - 50 m (Ref. 9806). Tropical, preferred ?; 30°N - 32°S

Distribution Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri

Indo-Pacific: Persian Gulf (Ref.80050), Red Sea and East Africa (Ref. 3141) to the Hawaiian and Tuamoto islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe Island. The Red Sea population differs slightly in coloration and has been known as Ostracion argus; closely related to Ostracion immaculatus from southern Japan. Southeast Atlantic: south coast of South Africa (Ref. 3141).

Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: L_m ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 45.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9806)

Short description Morphology | Morphometrics

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9. Caudal fin rays 10. Juveniles bright yellow with black spots; the spots decrease proportionately and the bright yellow becomes a dirty mustard with growth; large adults become bluish with yellowish seams between the plates.

Inhabit lagoon and semi-sheltered seaward reefs. Juveniles often among Acropora corals (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Solitary (Ref. 5503). Juveniles expatriating to subtropical zone from the pelagic larval stage. Small juveniles secretive in narrow crevices (Ref. 48637). Feed primarily on algae with a compliment of microorganisms, invertebrates, mollusks, sponges (Ref. 5503), sand dwelling polychaetes, crustaceans, foraminiferans, and fishes (Ref. 37816).

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae

Occurs in harems consisting of single males and 2-4 females (Ref. 37175).

Main reference Upload your references | References | Coordinator : Matsuura, Keiichi | Collaborators

Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p. (Ref. 1602)

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)

Not Evaluated

CITES (Ref. 94142)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

Harmless

Human uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial

FAO(Publication : search) | FisheriesWiki | Sea Around Us

More information

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Ecology
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Common names
Synonyms
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Predators
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Fecundity
Eggs
Egg development

Age/Size
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Length-weight
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Morphometrics
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Internet sources

Estimates of some properties based on models

Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82805): PD₅₀ = 0.5039 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].

Bayesian length-weight: a=0.05248 (0.03194 - 0.08622), b=2.76 (2.61 - 2.91), in cm Total Length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref. 93245).

Trophic Level (Ref. 69278): 3.4 ±0.48 se; Based on food items.

Resilience (Ref. 69278): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec assumed to be > 10,000).

Vulnerability (Ref. 59153): Low vulnerability (23 of 100) .

Price category (Ref. 80766): High.

Ostracion cubicus Linnaeus, 1758