Spiny Cowfish

Family	Ostraciidae
Description	Boxfishes
Environment	Marine
Etymology	Greek, ostrakon = shell
Genus	8
No. of Species	25
Order	Tetraodontiformes
Class	Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild	Nonguarders
Distribution	Since Nelson, the subfamily Aracaninae (6 genera, 13 species) has been removed from the Ostraciidae and ressurected to family level. The following information concerns the Ostraciidae s.l. and must be updated. Distribution: Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. A bony carapace enclosing body. Pelvic skeleton absent. Spinous dorsal lacking. Dorsal fin rays 9-13. Anal fin rays 9-13. Non-protrusible upper jaw. Vertebrae usually 18. Some species of trunkfishes secrete ostracitoxin, poisonous to other fishes and, to some extent, even to trunkfishes. Feed on small sessile invertebrates and on algae. They are territorial and haremic, spawning pelagic eggs at dusk. Not recommended for aquaria. Other common names in use are cowfishes and trunkfishes. About 60 cm maximum length.

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