Common name : Trunkfish
Scientific name : Lactoria cornuta
Family : Ostraciidae
Native to : Indo-Pacific region
Interesting fact : It exudes a deadly toxin when stressed.
Conservation status : Not Evaluated
Aptly named, it has long horns on its head and inhabits coral reefs, lagoons, sandy and rocky bottoms. Its yellow-to-olive body has white or blue spots. It lacks gill cover and has hexagonal plate-like scales, fused into a triangular shell from which the fins and tail protrude. It feeds on benthic algae, sponges, worms, molluscs, crustaceans and small fish.
