Spotted Trunkfish in Cozumel
Spotted Trunkfish (Lactophrys bicaudalis) in Cozumel: how to identify it, where it is reliably seen, and what it is commonly confused with.
A rigid box of a fish, white with black spots, sculling along just above the bottom with only its fins moving. The body is a fused bony shell, so it cannot flex — it steers rather than swims.
Quick ID
| Scientific name | Lactophrys bicaudalis |
|---|---|
| Group | Camouflaged & Odd-Shaped Fish |
| Typical size | Up to 48 cm, usually 20–30 cm |
| Depth range | 2–50 m |
| When to see it | Year-round |
| Active | Day |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Notes | Skin secretion is toxic — do not handle |
How To Identify It
White to cream with round black spots over the whole body, and two short spines in front of the anal fin. The cross-section is triangular and the body plate is rigid.
Where You Will See It In Cozumel
Over rubble, sand and reef edges on the shelf reefs, often alone. Chankanaab, Paradise and Yucab all hold them.
Reliable sites: Paradise Reef, Chankanaab, Yucab, Tormentos, Paso del Cedral.
Behaviour
Blows jets of water at sand to expose worms, crustaceans and molluscs. Movement comes entirely from the fins because the body cannot bend.
When stressed it can release a toxin from the skin — one of the reasons trunkfish should never be handled or confined.
Commonly Confused With
- Smooth trunkfish — Dark with white spots, and a honeycomb pattern rather than round spots.
- Honeycomb cowfish — Has horns above the eyes.
- Scrawled cowfish — Horns and blue scrawl markings.
Diving Etiquette And Safety
Skin secretion is toxic — do not handle. Keep fins off the reef and hands to yourself — nothing here needs to be touched or provoked to be seen well.
Part of the Cozumel marine life guide · see Cozumel dive sites · plan your Cozumel dive trip
Photo courtesy of the Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program, used with permission.
Spotted Trunkfish Photos