Kingdom Animalia Order Tetraodontiformes Genus Lactophrys Higher classification Ostraciidae | Phylum Chordata Family Ostraciidae Scientific name Lactophrys bicaudalis Rank Species | |
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Similar Smooth trunkfish, Yellow boxfish, Lactophrys, Ostracion, Ostraciidae | ||
The Spotted Trunkfish is a member of the family Ostraciidae. It can be found in reefs throughout the Caribbean, as well as the south eastern Atlantic Ocean. The species gets its name from the black spots it has covered over its yellow/golden body.
The spotted trunkfish, like all trunkfish of the Genus Lactophrys, secretes a colorless toxin from glands on its skin when touched. The toxin is only dangerous when ingested, so there's no immediate harm to divers. Predators however, as large as nurse sharks, can die as a result of eating a trunkfish.
References
Spotted trunkfish Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA