Box fish
The black boxfish (Ostracion cubicus) is a species of boxfish. It can be found in reefs throughout the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean as well as the south eastern Atlantic Ocean. It reaches a maximum length of 45 centimetres (18 in).
As the name suggests, it is box-shaped. When juvenile, it is bright yellow in color. As it ages, the brightness fades and very old specimens will have blue-grey coloration with faded yellow. It feeds mainly on algae, but will also feed on sponges, crustaceans and mollusks.
The fish's diet consists of marine algea, worms, crustaceans, molluks, and small fish.
When stressed or injured it releases poisonous proteins from its skin that may prove lethal to any fish in the surrounding waters. The bright yellow color and black spots are a form of warning coloration to any potential predators.
They are solitary animals. Breeding occurs during the spring, in small groups that consist of 1 male and 2 - 4 females.
As the name suggests, it is box-shaped. When juvenile, it is bright yellow in color. As it ages, the brightness fades and very old specimens will have blue-grey coloration with faded yellow. It feeds mainly on algae, but will also feed on sponges, crustaceans and mollusks.
The fish's diet consists of marine algea, worms, crustaceans, molluks, and small fish.
When stressed or injured it releases poisonous proteins from its skin that may prove lethal to any fish in the surrounding waters. The bright yellow color and black spots are a form of warning coloration to any potential predators.
They are solitary animals. Breeding occurs during the spring, in small groups that consist of 1 male and 2 - 4 females.
