A strange looking fish found in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean
The spotted trunkfish is a strange looking fish found in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean. It is seen throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, Southern Gulf of Mexico, and Florida Keys, as well as south to Brazil. The spotted trunkfish is considered an occasional to uncommon sighting in the Florida Keys where I took this photograph.
These odd-shaped swimmers are white/cream colored with small black spots covering their uniquely shaped body. Their bottom is flat and its sides slope upward. Their dorsal fin is set back far on the body. If you look closely, you will see white spots towards the top of the fish. There are also dark blotches that assist with the camouflage pattern. Their eyes are large. Their mouth is white colored, with fleshy lips. The spotted trunkfish will grow to a maximum length of roughly sixteen inches.
Although these fish are considered an occasional sighting, divers are often familiar with them because spotted trunkfish are generally not seen deeper than ~60 feet. These are common recreational scuba diving depths. As a diver, if you want to get close to a spotted trunkfish approach them very slowly. Try to get below the fish and keep some distance at first. Slowly position yourself into their path of travel rather than swimming directly at them. These fish are wary of divers and will retreat into protected areas.
Aside from its camouflage pattern, the spotted trunkfish can also secrete a toxin as a defense mechanism. The toxin is not harmful to divers because it needs to be ingested. This toxin prevents predators from snacking on this relatively slow-moving fish. In fact, predators as large as a nurse shark can die from consuming a single spotted trunkfish.
Wild Boyz Photography has featured some similar fish in the past including the juvenile trunkfish, smooth trunkfish, and scrawled cowfish. Check out what makes these fish different below!
Predators as large as a nurse shark can die from consuming a single spotted trunkfish
Did you know?
- Spotted trunkfish have two sharp spines near the anal fin.
- The spotted trunkfish diet includes seagrass, crabs, shrimp, starfish, sea cucumbers, algae, mollusks, and tunicates.
- Spotted trunkfish are in the boxfish family. They get this name from the armored hexagonal scales that are fused together on their triangular/box like carapace.
- Spotted trunkfish typically use their pectoral and dorsal fins to swim around the reef. However, if needed, they will move their tail fin back and forth for rapid propulsion.
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