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Ostracion meleagris (Shaw, 1796).
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Ostracion meleagris (Shaw, 1796).
  • Photo. (c) 2021 Olaf Jakobsen
  • Photo. (c) 2021 Olaf Jakobsen
  • Photo. (c) 2022 BSS/MCSS.
Genus: ,

Scientific Name: Ostracion meleagris

English Name: Whitespotted boxfish

Creole Name: Bours kof

French Name: Coffre à taches blanches

IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (NE)



Information

Description:

Sexually dimorphic Box fish. Carapace quadrangular in cross section, spines absent; back gently convex, median dorsal ridge absent. No bony protuberance above upper lip. 
Caudal fin rounded. Males are blackish on the back with white spots, bluish sides with bright yellowish spots, and a yellow stripe on the upper edge of the carapace.
Large males with orange bands and spots on side of body. Females and juveniles are entirely dark brown to blackish or greenish, with white spots on the head and body


Size:

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 25.0 cm TL. 


Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits clear coral reefs, from the surge zone, often on reef crests and reef slopes (depth 1-30m). Juveniles among rocky boulders, often with long spined urchins, 
and adults on reef crests and slopes. Solitary. Feeds on didemnid tunicates, polychaetes, sponges, mollusks, copepods, and algae.


Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations.


Notes:

Venomous
Photos (c) 2021 and courtesy Dr Olaf Jakobsen. This speciimen was photo'd off the west coast of Grande Soeur island at a depth of approximately 5 metres.

Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. 
Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022. 


References:

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2021). FishBase. Ostracion meleagris (Shaw 1796), Whitespotted boxfish. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Ostracion-meleagris.html (14/11/21). 
Bray, D.J. (2021). Ostracion meleagris in Fishes of Australia. https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2475 (14/11/21). 
 


Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. & Jakobsen, O. (2021). Ostracion meleagris, Whitespotted boxfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/ostracion-meleagris-shaw-1796/ 


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