Ostracion rhinorhynchos Bleeker, 1851

Fin Ray Count

Ostracion rhinorhynchos Bleeker, 1851 has 9 soft rays supporting both its dorsal and anal fins, while its caudal fin has 10 rays, 8 of which are branched.

Male Head Protuberance

Mature males have a large, blunt, conical protuberance located above the mouth and in front of the eyes.

Carapace Morphology

Its oblong carapace has a poorly developed ridge along its back, with sharp ridges on the lower flanks, and does not have any spines.

Upper Body Coloration

The upper half of the body is pale grey and may bear spots; spotting is more prominent on the caudal peduncle and less distinct on the flanks.

Lower Body and Fin Coloration

The lower body is white, and all fins are dusky in color.

Maximum Size

This species, commonly called the horn-nosed boxfish, has a maximum published total length of 35 centimeters (14 inches).

General Distribution

Ostracion rhinorhynchos has a wide distribution across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Range Limits

Its range extends east from the Maldives and Sri Lanka to Chuuk State in Micronesia, and reaches as far north as southern Japan.

Depth and Habitat

It inhabits depths between 1 and 50 meters (3 feet 3 inches to 164 feet 1 inch), and can be found on rubble substrates, flat open areas, and reefs.