Ostracion cubicus Linnaeus 1758

yellow boxfish

Ostracion cubicus, juvenile yellow boxfish Ostracion cubicus, juvenile yellow boxfish Ostracion cubicus, juvenile yellow boxfish
Ostracion cubicus, yellow boxfish Ostracion cubicus, yellow boxfish Ostracion cubicus, yellow boxfish
 

This series of pictures shows, the Yellow Boxfish, Ostracion cubicus, increasing stages of maturity. The tiny individual in the first picture is less than 2cms long. Its black spots are very large. The spots become gradually smaller and less numerous. In picture 5 the spots have become white with black edges. The bright yellow body becomes a dull colour with bluish markings (5) and eventually a bright blue(6). Pictures 7 & 8 show an old male with bumps on his face which are not unusual.
Family =  Ostraciidae - boxfishes Distribution =  Indo-west Pacific Max size =  45cms