| Ostraciidae (Boxfishes) |
| 55 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 3,310.0 g |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 50 m |
| Western Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951), Massachusetts (USA) to Brazil, including Bermuda, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Mediterranean Sea (Ref. 50345). |
|
With small diffuse white spots; two areas where the hexagonal plates are dark-edged, forming chain-like markings, one on the pectoral region of the body and the other half way between gill opening and posterior end of carapace; large individuals lose the pale spots and chain markings and develop an irregular dark reticulate pattern over the entire carapace and caudal peduncle (Ref. 13442). |
| Inhabits seagrass beds, coral rubble areas, and offshore reefs down to about 50 m. Feeds on a wide variety of small benthic invertebrates such as mollusks, crustaceans, worms and sessile tunicates, as well as some sea grasses (Ref. 3696). Highly esteemed food fish in the Caribbean (Ref. 3696). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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