1176*. Ostracion sebae: Smith, 1961: 573, No. 1177a; Smith & Smith,
1963: 59*.
09; A 9; P 10-11; C 10. Sexual dichromatism exists: large males were
named O. sebae by Bleeker (1851).
Juveniles and females brown or green with white spots;
large males with orange bands and spots on side of body.
Attains 25 cm. Indo-Pacific, from Africa to Mexico, with
juveniles reaching at least to Algoa Bay.
Genus Strophiurichthys Fraser-Brunner, 1935
Caudal peduncle naked laterally, 2 separate plates on
dorsal surface behind D and 2 separate plates on ventral
surface behind A. Fraser-Brunner (1941) is uncertain
whether S. robustus is a distinct species or merely indicates
sexual dimorphism in S. inermis. The concave profile of
the snout, as opposed to the convex profile of S. inermis,
indicates that of the 2 nominal species, the one from
South Africa falls into S. robustus. The sex of the specimen
from Algoa Bay cannot be determined.
266.8 Strophiurichthys robustus
Fraser-Brunner, 1941
Chubby basketfish
Pokkel-mandjievis
Strophiurichthys robustus Fraser-Brunner, 1941: 310, Fig. 2B
(Australia); Smith, SFSA No. 1172*.
o 10; A 10; P 12; C 11; fused plates rather granular.
Live colour unknown, preserved yellowish. Attains 22
cm. Australia, Solomon Ids. and one specimen washed up
in Algoa Bay.
266:8 Strophurichthys robustus: 10 em (Algoa Bay).
Genus Tetrosomus Swainson, 1839
Two species known, both in our area.
KEY TO SPECIES
la Strong spine on back that diminishes with growth ........ T. gibbosus
Ib No strong spine on back, at most 1 or 2 small
recumbent spines ............................................ T. concatenatus
266: OSTRACIIDAE (BOXFlSHES)
266.9 Tetrosomus concatenatus
(Bloch, 1786)
PLATE 141
Triangular boxfish
Driehoek-koffervis
Ostracion concatenatus Bloch, 1786: 101, PI. 131 (Guamajacuape). Tetrosomus concatenatus: Smith, SFSA No. 1174*; Sanches, 1963: 184*;
Smith & Smith, 1966: 146*.
09; A 9-10; P 10-11; C 10. Body triangular in cross- section; spines on
the 3 ridges diminish with age.
Males illustrated; often with vivid blue lines and spots
that fade rapidly. Attains 30 cm. Down to 60 m in IndoWest Pacific; in our area the commonest boxfish, frequently
thrown ashore from the Cape eastwards.
266.9 Tetrosomus eoncatenatus: 26 em (Knysna).
266.10 Tetrosomus gibbosus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Hunchback boxfish
Boggel-koffervis
Ostracion gibbosus Linnaeus, 1758: 332 (India). Tetrosomus gibbosus:
Smith, SFSA No. 1175'.
09; A 9-10; P 10-11; C 10; the strong spine on the back as well as those
on ventral ridges diminish with growth.
Attains 30 cm. Red Sea and tropical Indo-West Pacific
south to Durban.
266.10 Tetrosomus gibbosus: 22.5 em (off Durban).
893
1963: 59*.
09; A 9; P 10-11; C 10. Sexual dichromatism exists: large males were
named O. sebae by Bleeker (1851).
Juveniles and females brown or green with white spots;
large males with orange bands and spots on side of body.
Attains 25 cm. Indo-Pacific, from Africa to Mexico, with
juveniles reaching at least to Algoa Bay.
Genus Strophiurichthys Fraser-Brunner, 1935
Caudal peduncle naked laterally, 2 separate plates on
dorsal surface behind D and 2 separate plates on ventral
surface behind A. Fraser-Brunner (1941) is uncertain
whether S. robustus is a distinct species or merely indicates
sexual dimorphism in S. inermis. The concave profile of
the snout, as opposed to the convex profile of S. inermis,
indicates that of the 2 nominal species, the one from
South Africa falls into S. robustus. The sex of the specimen
from Algoa Bay cannot be determined.
266.8 Strophiurichthys robustus
Fraser-Brunner, 1941
Chubby basketfish
Pokkel-mandjievis
Strophiurichthys robustus Fraser-Brunner, 1941: 310, Fig. 2B
(Australia); Smith, SFSA No. 1172*.
o 10; A 10; P 12; C 11; fused plates rather granular.
Live colour unknown, preserved yellowish. Attains 22
cm. Australia, Solomon Ids. and one specimen washed up
in Algoa Bay.
266:8 Strophurichthys robustus: 10 em (Algoa Bay).
Genus Tetrosomus Swainson, 1839
Two species known, both in our area.
KEY TO SPECIES
la Strong spine on back that diminishes with growth ........ T. gibbosus
Ib No strong spine on back, at most 1 or 2 small
recumbent spines ............................................ T. concatenatus
266: OSTRACIIDAE (BOXFlSHES)
266.9 Tetrosomus concatenatus
(Bloch, 1786)
PLATE 141
Triangular boxfish
Driehoek-koffervis
Ostracion concatenatus Bloch, 1786: 101, PI. 131 (Guamajacuape). Tetrosomus concatenatus: Smith, SFSA No. 1174*; Sanches, 1963: 184*;
Smith & Smith, 1966: 146*.
09; A 9-10; P 10-11; C 10. Body triangular in cross- section; spines on
the 3 ridges diminish with age.
Males illustrated; often with vivid blue lines and spots
that fade rapidly. Attains 30 cm. Down to 60 m in IndoWest Pacific; in our area the commonest boxfish, frequently
thrown ashore from the Cape eastwards.
266.9 Tetrosomus eoncatenatus: 26 em (Knysna).
266.10 Tetrosomus gibbosus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Hunchback boxfish
Boggel-koffervis
Ostracion gibbosus Linnaeus, 1758: 332 (India). Tetrosomus gibbosus:
Smith, SFSA No. 1175'.
09; A 9-10; P 10-11; C 10; the strong spine on the back as well as those
on ventral ridges diminish with growth.
Attains 30 cm. Red Sea and tropical Indo-West Pacific
south to Durban.
266.10 Tetrosomus gibbosus: 22.5 em (off Durban).
893