Evan Nazareth
Evan Nazareth
( Lactoria cornuta )
Mainly found in coral reefs and lagoons at depths between 1- 45m. They have also been spotted around reef flats and estuaries.
They are identifiable because of their two long horns that protrude from the front of its head, this looks like those of a cow or a bull, hence referring to the common name given to them. Growing up to a maximum length of about 50 cm, the longhorn cowfish is a protector of the coral reef, it does so by feeding on the invertebrates that harm coral reef growth. They are yellow in colour and covered with white and blue spots. The longhorn cowfish can also release a toxic chemical when threartened to ward away predators.
They are omnivores have a highly variable diet feeding on algae, sponges, worms, crustaceans etc.
Vardhan Patankar
Joydeep Sarkar
Vardhan Patankar
Vardhan Patankar
( Ostracion cubicus )
They inhabit coral and rocky reefs at depths of 1-40 m. You are likely to find them around crevices or shaded areas where they hide from predators if threatened.
As the name suggests, these fish are box-shaped. When young this species are yellow with black spots, however as adults they become a more blueish colour with a yellow colour base of the tail and a honeycomb pattern of colouration forming near the head. The number of black dots reduce but some spots still show on the top of the body. The yellow boxfish can grow up to a max length of 45 cm and can also release harmful toxins which may be fatal to the boxfish's predators, their bright colouring serves as a warning for this.
Majority of their diet is occupied by algae but worms, crustaceans, molluscs and some small fish also form part of their diet.
Vardhan Patankar
Evan Nazareth
Vardhan Patankar
( Diodon liturosus )
You can spot them in lagoons, atop reefs most commonly at depths between 15 and 30 m.
The black-blotched porcupine fish is mostly found at a length of about 45 cm. Their body is stretched with a round head and large protruding eyes. Their fins are yellowish in colour and they have spines that face the backward direction. Their body is light brown to yellowish in colour with dark botches circled with a white outline, one of these blotches or streaks goes over the eyes. When threatened, the fish inflates itself by taking in water from their mouths and gets larger in volume while also pointing its spines. Their body also contains toxins that are harmful the fish's predators.
They mainly consume sea urchins, molluscs and crustaceans.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Arothron mappa )
Found in both deep drop-offs of coral reefs and also lagoons and sheltered areas from surface to about 30m in depth.
The map puffer can grow up to a maximum size of about 65 cm in length. Their body is oval shaped and their skin is covered with small spines. They are whitish-grey in colour with black, brown or sometimes even greenish lines that originate from the area around the eye. Their body contains toxins that keep predators away from consuming them, however inspite of this, they are part of cuisines in Asia and around the world where they are carefully prepared for safe consumption.
Small invertebrates, crustaceans, sponges and even algae form the major part of the map puffer's diet.
Phalguni Ranjan
Phalguni Ranjan
( Canthigaster solandri )
Most commonly sighted around sheltered areas of rocky or coral reefs. Often found in pairs and in small groups at depths between 10-36 m.
The spotted sharpnose puffer attains a maximum length of 12 cm. Exhibiting a dark orange to brown colour on the upper half of the body which fades into yellow on the lower half, this species is called the spotted sharpose due to its many pale blue spots scattered all over along with its pointed nose. On the head of the fish, there are around 8-10 dark blue horizonal lines that originate from the eye and go across the face. The tail of the fish is brown with wavy blue lines while also having some 'U' shaped lines between the snout and the eye. Like most other puffers, these species also inflate themselves with water to deter predators. An additonal defense mechanism they have is their poisonous skin.
They feed on algae, corals, sea stars, marine worms and crustaceans.
Phalguni Ranjan
( Arothron stellatus )
Found in the external slopes of coral reefs, lagoons and in close proximity to sandy areas between 1-58 m.
An oval shaped body reaching up to a maximum length of about 120 cm, these puffers are quite large. They have a colour that varies from white to greyish and the body is covered with black spots. Their body contains a toxic poison which protects them from predators. They like the other puffers are able to inflate themselves by swallowing water when threatened as well.
They feed on sea urchins, crustaceans, sponges, coral and algae.
Jonathan Emmett
Jonathan Emmett
( Arothron nigropunctatus )
They live in areas close to the external coral reef slopes and lagoons at a maximum depth of 25 m.
These small puffers can growp to 33 cm and like all other puffers, display an oval shaped body. You can find them in various colours from bluish dark, grey and light brown, you can spot a dark colouration around their eye and their skin is scattered with irregular black spots. These puffers also hold deadly posion in their body to ward off predators and also can inflate themselves with water when threatened.
They feed on corals, algae, sponges and molluscs.
Phalguni Ranjan
Phalguni Ranjan
Phalguni Ranjan
( Canthigaster valentini )
You can find them in rocky and coral reefs and lagoons at maximum depths of 55 m.
A small sized puffer can grow up to a maximum length of about 11 cm. They have four black stripes on their back, the two black saddles in the middle extend to the belly. They have pale brown spots all over the body while the tip of their head is blueish grey. The fins of this toby are a yellowish colour. These fish are highly poisonous to consume and like other puffers, they are able to inflate or 'puff' themselves when threatened to ward off predators.
They feed on algae, tunicates, coral starfish and molluscs.
Phalguni Ranjan
Joydeep Sarkar
( Arothron hispidus )
You can find them at depths from 1-50 m in outer reefs and lagoons.
This species of puffer can grow up to a maximum length of around 50 cm and have a slight grey, yellowish background colour. Their whole body is covered wth white spots that are distributed in a circular pattern around the eye and the fins on the side of their body. Moreover, they have a white coloured belly and a dark blotch or patch on their side fins as well. Like all the puffers, they display and oval shaped body and have toxins in their skin that keep predators away.
They are known to have a highly variable diet that ranges from feeding on algae, molluscs, tunicates and urchins.
Coastal Impact
Coastal Impact
( Diodon hystrix )
As juveniles they prefer the pelagic ocean and when adults, you are likely to spot them in lagoons and coral reefs from surface to 50 m.
The spot-fin porcupine fish can reach a maximum length of about 40 cm. With spines all over their body, they are coloured beige to a sandy brown colour that is overlapped with dark blotches and several small black spots. Like most other porcupine fish, they inflate themseleves by swallowing water when threatened to flex its spines and appear larger.
They feed on sea urchins, clams and crustaceans.
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Arothron manilensis )
Most commonly seen at depths from surface to about 20 m around seagrass ecosystems and sandy areas.
They display a whitish, grey colour with brown horizontal lines. The fins of the fish are yellowish and are a little translucent as well except for the tail which has a black margin. There is also a large black blotch at the base of the side fins. They can reach a maximum length of about 30 cm.
They feed on small invertebrates from the ocean floor.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Ostracion meleagris )
Reside in lagoons and seaward reefs and most often spotted at depths of around 30 m.
The spotted boxfish can grow up to a maximum length of about 25 cm. Males and females of this species display different colour. The males are blackish in colour on the back with white spots and have blue coloured sides with yellow spots and bands. While females and young are brown to black in colour with white spots. These species are known to make some humming sounds when mating and are protected by a posionous slime on their body that can kill other fish.
Sponges, marine worms, tunicates and other small invertebrates make up their diet.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Lactoria fornasini )
Found in areas of sand and rubble around coral reefs and also in seagrass areas. They are usually spotted between 6-30 m.
With a small mouth and protruding lips, the thornback cowfish is astoundingly coloured and stand out with their spines on their head. They also have a spine near the tail and on top of their body. They can grow up to about 15 cm, and their colouring is variable, depending on their environment. They are usually light brown to yellow with markings that are blue or yellow as well.
The feed on small invertebrates from the sand on the ocean floor.