The
spotted trunkfish (
Lactophrys bicaudalis) is a species of
ray-finned fish in the family
Ostraciidae, native to the
Caribbean Sea and parts of the western Atlantic Ocean. Members of this family are known as boxfishes because they have a hard outer covering consisting of hexagonal, plate-like scales fused together into a solid, triangular or box-like
carapace. Because of this casing, the body of the spotted trunkfish is not flexible, and locomotion is normally limited to slow movements performed by rippling its
dorsal and
anal fins and gently beating its
pectoral fins. If faster motion is required, it can additionally use its
caudal fin for propulsion. This spotted trunkfish was photographed at a depth of about 40 ft (12 m) at Bari Reef,
Bonaire.
Photograph credit: Betty Wills