Boxfish

The Vibrant, Box-Shaped Reef Fish

Diving with boxfish is always a treat, as their uniquely shaped bodies and bold coloration bring excitement to any coral reef. Boxfish, also commonly known as cowfish or trunkfish, include 23 species of square, bony fish in the Ostraciidae family. They are clearly identifiable by their rigid, box-shaped bodies. Most species are also covered in spots or hexagonal shapes, and many have horn-like projections from the tops of their heads.

Boxfish live on shallow reefs in the tropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans worldwide. Keep your eyes on the lookout for boxfish hovering about the reef. Some boxfish species can be pretty small and harder to spot; however, some can grow up to 50 cm (20in). To find out where you can go diving with boxfish, explore the dive site map below.

Dive sites with this animal Show more on map

DivePoint Hudhuran Fushi, 20193 Male

★★★★☆ Okobe Thila

This amazing reef are 3 blocks. The biggest begins in the south between 80-100m long and it's full of corals, it would be nice we can start here. In the east we have another wonderful block a bit similar to east block Maya Thila covert full with corals. In the north is the smallest block. AOW or higher

Analynne S. (#3245254)

★★★★★ SILVER REEF HOUSE REEF

Gentle slope reef with a lot of yellow tail Snappers, resident Green Turtles and Hawksbill turtles. Reef has strong current but a diver can hide behind huge coral bommies and hang out with fish at 5m

Neil D. (#3039000)

★★★★☆ Frederiksted Pier

One of the top macro dives anywhere! Scattered ruins and columns are coral encrusted and provide habitat for many types of shallow sea life. The pier is 1526ft/465m long so lots to discover with a gradual westerly decline. Perfect for snorkeling & non-certified divers too.

Ducks Diving Superior, Marsa Alam

★★★★☆ Marsa Gabal el Rosas (Ducks center)

Narrow entrance with a sandy bottom. Nice coral. A good dive site to make drift dives from the zodiac on the North Anemone City. Good for experienced and beginner divers.

ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero

★★★★★ Bat Island: Big Scare, Gran Susto

Bat Islands are considered one of the best bull shark dive sites (Apr - Nov). But only advanced certified divers are allowed due to the depths. “The Big Scare“ is most famous for the chances of seeing the Bull sharks, although during the dive we can also encounter different types of rays including oceanic mantas.

ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero

★★★★☆ Catalinas Island, Clásico

11 km west of Potrero and Flamingo is the famous site of Clasico. This dive is done on the western side of the islands, from the south towards the north. There are successive ripraps. Several ways to dive possible, depending on certification level. From 10m to more than 30m.