Yellow boxfish (Ostracion cubicus) fish species and information / pictures of Yellow boxfish - Ostracion cubicus

Yellow boxfish (Ostracion cubicus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Ostracion cubicus

Common Name
Yellow boxfish

Biology
Dorsal spines : 0; Dorsal soft rays : 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.

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Puffers and Filefishes (Tetraodontiformes)

Family

Boxfishes (Ostraciidae)

Distribution

Region

Indo-Pacific

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa 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.

Range

30°N - 32°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

280 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 280 m , usually 1 - 50 m

Trophic Level

3.37 s.e. 0.48 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

45.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5039 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (23 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec assumed to be > 10,000)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated