CLASSIFICATION OF OSTRACION : TRUNK FISH
Subphylum :- VERTEBRATA (Vertebral column present ).
Division :- GNATHOSTOMATA ( Jaws and paired appendages present ).
Super class :- PISCES (Paired fins , gills and skin with scales)
Class :- OSTEICHTHYES ( Bony fishes ).
SUB-CLASS :- ACTINOPTYERGII ( Ray finned fish ).
SUPER ORDER :- TELEOISTEI ( Bony fish proper).
Order :- PLECTOGNATHI (Body globose, jaws short. Teeth strong incisors. Scales bony or spiny. Gill clefts small).
FAMILY :- OSTRACIONTIDAE
GENUS :- Ostracion
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
Ostracion is chiefly distributed in tropical seas, Red Sea, African Sea, the Indian Ocean, Malaysian Archipelago, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
HABIT AND HABITAT
Ostracion is found in the bottom of shallow sea water.
GENERAL CHARACTERSTICS OF OSTRACION : TRUNK FISH
- Commonly known as Trunk fish or Coffer fish.
- Body divided into head, trunk and tail. Head contains mouth, nostril and eyes.
- Body is roughly triangular and encased in a carapace, composed of large, juxtaposed and hexagonal bony plates. Carapace is closed behind the anal fin. Fish measures about 60 cm in length.
- Colour of the body is olive brown with dark bands. A light blue spot is present in the centre of each scute or bony plate. Ventral side contains ventral spines. A large dorsal spine present.
- Dorsal fin and anal fin with anal spines present.
- Pectoral fin is enlarged and helps to form water current. Gill opening near pectoral fin.
- Caudal fin acts as a rudder during rapid swimming.
- A compressed and small supra-orbital spine, directed upwards and backwards, is present above orbit.
SPECIAL FEATURE
Some trunk fishes are known to discharge a toxic substance termed ostracitoxin which will kill other fish in confined water. It is toxic to trunk fish itself.
IDENTIFICATION
This fish has bony plates and above features, hence it is Ostracion.
