Jeffords, Jeffrey
Identification
Location
Luzon Island, Philippines
Caption
The color scheme of this sub-adult boxfish (Ostracion cubicus) is dramatically different than its smaller "yellow boxfish" version. This one is probably about 4 inches (10 cm) in length, though the fully grown adults may reach as long as 18 inches (46 cm). As this fish grows to adulthood its body shape changes to a more streamlined, elongated form, losing some of the characteristic over-square appearance. This one is using its pectoral fins to maneuver, as it contemplates how to escape the imposing company of my camera. The caudal fin is not used for casual, slow movement, though it may be used supplementally for rapid straight-line movement.
- Subject
- Live Animal
- Type
- Photo
- Anatomy
- Coloration/Patterning :: Disruptive Coloration (Spots/Stripes)
- Anatomy
- Body Parts :: Eyes
- Anatomy
- Coloration/Patterning :: Cryptic
- Life Stages And Gender
- Juvenile
Contributors
Jeffrey N. Jeffords (photographer; copyright holder; identification)
Conditions of Use
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.