Dive sites4
Marine life profile
Boxfish / pufferfish
Recorded at 4 dive sitesWhere divers encounter it
Explore Boxfish / pufferfish around the world
It follows a daily rhythm of feeding, sheltering and interacting with rivals, partners or a larger school.
Countries5
Animal groupReef Fish
Safety profileGenerally Harmless
Meet the species
What to look for
How to Recognize It
Look for either the boxfish's rigid geometric body or the pufferfish's round head, large eyes and compact fins.
How It Behaves
It follows a daily rhythm of feeding, sheltering and interacting with rivals, partners or a larger school.
Special Ability
One relies on a hard box-like shell, the other on dramatic inflation. Both turn an unusual body plan into defense.
Dive responsibly
Share the water well
How to Approach
Move slowly at the same depth, avoid swimming directly at it and let the fish resume its normal behavior.
Safety
Usually safe to observe at a respectful distance. Never feed, corner or touch a fish, especially near nests or cleaning stations.
Worth knowing
The detail you remember
Interesting Facts
Boxfish / pufferfish is closely adapted to its habitat, and patient observation reveals details that a quick swim-by misses.
Where to Find
Look around coral structure, rocky reef, wrecks and current lines where shelter and food meet.
Known countries
Sint MaartenIndiaAustraliaEgypt
Sightings map
Boxfish / pufferfish locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
Mike's Maze
Sint Maarten
Part of the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area. It starts at approximately 40 feet (12 m) and boasts healthy coral formations and numerous maze-like swim throughs, passageways wind around coral heads, through arches and over bridges. This location is where the Nature Foundation conducted one of its coral reef restoration projects. Common critters: Many of the 60 TWA fish species! French Angelfish, schooling Chubs, Spiny Lobster, & Foureye Butterflyfish, Elkhorn Coral formations, Special guests: Spotted Eagle Rays, Squid, Caribbean Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Sexy Shrimp in anemones, staghorn coral formations
Nemo Reef
India
Nice and clear water with an abundance of marine life as well as corals. It has a flat sandy bottom with a gradual slope starting right from the shore.
Nunn's beach is a swimming beach, with easy access via a board walk. This dive is parallel to the Breakwater Wall, 20 to 50m off the wall. Swim due East and from 4m onwards, signs of reef appear. looking around these reef systems, you may find Weedy Seadragons, Shaw's Box fish, Angel Sharks, Fiddler Rays, Reef fish, Nudibranchs, sponges, soft corals and false corals. The reef systems can be sparce or prolific, depending on how far off the Breakwater wall you are. Best dived on a Westerly or Southerly wind and low swell for the best visibility. This area can be dived all year round, take a dive float and flag, as this is open sea and boats move through the area.
El Fanadir North
Egypt
El Fanadir is a reef stretching for 3 kilometers and is around 4 kilometers away from shore and has to be done by boat. The reef has a wall on the north East sides, full of corals and fish. There is a sand bottom between the wall and the drop off where you will find patches of corals. The drop off is paralel to the wall and starts at 18 meters going to 30+. Also there is a shallow sandy lagoon on the south east side of the reef, perfect for beginners.