Camel cowfish

Poisson-coffre bossu

Scientific name : Tetrosomus gibbosus

Family : Ostraciidae (cowfish and boxfish, 25 species)
Size : Up to 20 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to New Caledonia

Biology : Like other boxfish, the camel boxfish is protected by a solid bony shell, a formidable shield against predators.
Its distinctive morphology is well suited to the sandy bottoms it favours. Moving close to the bottom, its humpbacked silhouette and sandy colour allow it to blend into the background, mimicking the appearance of a small moving dune.

IUCN status : Least concern