Yellow Box Fish

Yellow Box Fish

Description of the Yellow Box Fish
The Yellow Box Fish is also known as the Polka-Dot Boxfish or Cube Boxfish. It is a very unusual shaped fish, as its name suggests its body is shaped like a box or a cube. It is a peaceful fish, however if stressed by more aggressive fish it can release a toxin called Ostracitoxin to ward off predators but this toxin can kill other fish in the tank.

Profile of the Yellow Box Fish
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Yellow Box Fish species.

• Size: Up to 45cm

• Fish Tank conditions: PH 8.1 to 8.4 Temp: 24 to 28 Degrees

• Diet / Feeding: Dried, Frozen or Flaked Food

• Temperament: Don't place with aggressive species, if the boxfish gets stressed it will release a toxin which can kill other fish in the tank

• Habitat: Marine Reef Dwellers

• Behaviour: Peaceful, Good Community Fish

• Range: Pacific, Indian and South East Atlantic Ocean

Scientific Classification of the Yellow Box Fish
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Ostracion cubicus

• Popular Name: Yellow Boxfish - Cube Boxfish - Polka-Dot Boxfish

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Tetraodontiformes

• Family: Ostraciidae

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Yellow Box Fish?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Yellow Box Fish slimy?
Yellow Box Fish secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Yellow Box Fish to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Yellow Box Fish have gills?
Gills enable the Yellow Box Fish to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Yellow Box Fish have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Yellow Box Fish has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Yellow Box Fish has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Yellow Box Fish has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

• Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Yellow Box Fish has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Yellow Box Fish