Horn-nose Boxfish, Rhynchostracion rhinorhynchos (Bleeker, 1852)

Scientific name: Rhynchostracion rhinorhynchos
Horn-nose Boxfish, <i>Rhynchostracion rhinorhynchos</i> Click to enlarge image
A Horn-nosed Boxfish caught in Malaysian marine waters, 2003. Image: J. McMaster
© J. McMaster

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Rhynchostracion
    Species
    rhinorhynchos
    Family
    Ostraciidae
    Order
    Tetraodontiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 35 cm in length.

Introduction

The Horn-nose Boxfish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific. Large individuals are darker with more dark spots.

Identification

The Horn-nose Boxfish has a carapace that is pentagonal in cross-section. The body ridges are relatively sharp-edged, and lack spines. There is a distinct bump on snout. This species is whitish with black spots on the back and caudal peduncle. Large fish are darker with more dark spots.

Rhynchostracion rhinorhynchos
A Horn-nosed Boxfish caught in Malaysian marine waters, 2003. Image: J. McMaster
© J. McMaster

Habitat

It is found on coral reefs and flat bottoms to a depth of 50 m.

Distribution

The Horn-nose Boxfish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific from East Africa to Indonesia, north to Japan and south to Australia. In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia to the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Gloerfelt-Tarp, T & P.J. Kailola. 1984. Trawled Fishes of southern Indonesia and north-western Australia. Jakarta: Directorate General of Fisheries (Indonesia), German Agency for Technical Cooperation, Australian Development Assistance Bureau. Pp. 406.
  4. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  5. Matsuura, K. 2001. Ostraciidae in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 6. Bony Fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles, sea turtles, sea snakes and marine mammals. FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-v, 3381-4218.
  6. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.