Latin name

Lactoria cornuta

Other names

Horned boxfish

Identification

The body is usually conical in shape, widening towards the head, with two horn-like growths on the head and another pair of "horns" under the tail. The horns are thought to be a product of evolution, as they make the fish more difficult to swallow. The horns are often broken, but grow back in a few months. The scales are hexagonal, shingle-like, fused into a solid box-like framework. There is no sexual dimorphism. 

Features of fish fins

The small rounded dorsal fin has 8-9 soft rays, the anal fin has the same number, and the caudal fin has 9-10 rays. 

Fish colouring

The coloration is camouflage (in coral reef and algae conditions), varying from green and olive to orange with blue spots; sometimes the revealing shape of the scales gives the coloration a resemblance to bee honeycomb. 

Distribution

Widespread in tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Marquesas and Tuamotu Islands. The northern limit of the range is the Ryukyu Islands and southern Japan, the southern limit is Lord Howe Island. The species has also been recorded in Atlantic waters off the southern tip of Africa and off the northeastern coast of South America.

Habitat

Marine brackish non-migratory species. They live in reef areas, in their sheltered part, as well as in lagoons, bays with calm water and sandy or muddy bottoms, estuaries, in algae thickets. Juveniles prefer sheltered areas with silty bottoms in shallow water. Adults are mainly found at depths of up to 45 meters, according to some sources, and from 18 to 100 meters according to others.

Size

Usually reaches a length of 40 centimeters, the maximum recorded length is 46 centimeters. 

Behavior

Juveniles often gather in small schools, while adults are solitary and very shy. The peculiar "soaring" way of swimming is connected with the simultaneous work of the dorsal and pectoral fins. It moves so slowly that a person can easily catch it with his hand.

Food and feeding habits

Feeds on algae and bottom invertebrates found by blowing sand off the bottom with a stream of water from the mouth; less common diet includes mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish.

Reproduction

They lay few eggs. Eggs and larvae are pelagic, floating in the water column. At a length of 10 mm, the fry has a cubic outline and settles on the bottom. With age, the body of the fish gradually begins to lengthen and become more pronounced. It is characterized by a change of sex. After growing up, juvenile fish turn into females, which in turn become males after some time.

Fishing

Not of interest to anglers. Fished for sale to aquariums.

Relationship with a person

It has no food value as its flesh is poisonous. There have been reports of ciguatera poisoning. Bred for aquariums. In dried form they are used for jewelry.