Latin name

Tetrosomus gibbosus

Other name

Helmet cowfish, humpback turretfish and thornbacked boxfish.

Identification

Camel cowfish are characterized by the presence of a carapace, a hard upper shell formed by thick scaly plates. The body is completely enclosed within this bony shell except for a few small openings such as the mouth, eyes, and gills. The mouth is small, with fleshy lips and conical teeth, usually numbering less than 15.

Features of fish fins

Spiny dorsal fin rays (total): 0; articulated (soft) dorsal fin rays (total): 9; spiny anal fin rays: 0; articulated (soft) anal fin rays: 9 - 10.

Fish colouring

Camel Cowfish are mostly yellowish brown in color with very interesting dark markings on the body. 

Distribution

Widespread in the Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Indonesia, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia. Immigrated to the southeastern Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.

Habitat

Tropical marine species. Habitat depths range from 37 to 110 meters. Occupies deep coastal slopes and sheltered muddy substrates, usually in deep water near the shore, but sometimes in shallow water near algal thickets with muddy and rubble substrates. Often found on sandy bottoms of coastal waters.

Size

The fish usually reaches about 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) in length when fully grown, but can reach up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) in length. 

Behavior

Young individuals live together in small herds, but as they mature, individuals become solitary. 

Food and feeding habits

It is an omnivorous species and its diet is known to include seaweed, sponges, mollusks, worms and crustaceans from the bottom of its habitat.

Reproduction

Hermaphrodite, all individuals of this species are born female, but some can change into males as they mature. 

Fishing

This species is not commercially important.

Relationship with a person

The species has some value in the aquarium trade, but is difficult to keep. It is not eaten as food. It has venomous flesh, organs and spines, and it secretes a toxic mucus in defense or when disturbed. This venom can be fatal to humans or other marine organisms that come into contact with it.