Whitespotted boxfish (Ostracion meleagris) couple. The male is the upper fish. This fish inhabits coral reefs in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. It

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Whitespotted boxfish (Ostracion meleagris) couple. The male is the upper fish. This fish inhabits coral reefs in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. It can reach a length of around 25 centimetres and feeds on sponges, molluscs, sea squirts and worms. When threatened it can release a poison called ostracitoxin, which can kill nearby fish and other animals. This is of particular concern for aquarists who keep the fish as a pet, as a stressed or dying boxfish will often release the toxin, which can wipe out the entire tank. Photographed off Sulawesi, Indonesia.

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Size: 4700px × 3078px
Photo credit: © GEORGETTE DOUWMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, biological, biology, boxfish, couple, duo, fauna, female, fish, indo-pacific, indonesia, male, marine, meleagris, nature, ostracion, ostracitoxin, pair, poisonous, spotted, sulawesi, tropical, trunkfish, underwater, venomous, whitespotted, wildlife, zoological, zoology