Yellow boxfish (Ostracion cubicus)

Scientific name: Ostracion cubicus Linnaeus, 1758

The Yellow boxfish (Ostracion cubicus) is a marine fish of the family Ostraciidae.

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Ostracion cubicus
Family: Ostraciidae (Boxfishes)
Order: Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and Filefishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 45.0
Depth range: 1–280 m (3–919 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 280 m, usually 1 - 50 m
Climate: Tropical
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.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec assumed to be > 10,000)