Rhynchostracion nasus (Bloch, 1785)
Shortnose boxfish
Rhynchostracion nasus
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/D. Terver

Family:  Ostraciidae (Boxfishes)
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 80 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Sri Lanka (Ref. 1550) and Sumatra to Fiji, north to the Philippines; Palau and Truk in Micronesia. Matsuura 1999, pers. comm. strongly doubts its distribution in the southern GBR (as reported in Lieske & Meyers 1994, Ref. 9710) and does not know of any reliable record of this species from East Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Has a small protuberance above the mouth and a distinctly concave snout profile. Description: Characterized further by pale grey to yellowish with brown spots; carapace quadrangle in cross section, becoming oval anteriorly, concave sides and ventral surface; relatively high and conspicuous dorsal ridge; anal fin overlapping level of posterior part of dorsal fin; rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found around rocky and sandy substrates (Ref. 1602). Solitary, also found in sheltered bays exposed to heavy silt and mud bottoms of coastal trawling grounds (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


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