Pets Australia Issue 70 August 2017

Photo: wrangel/BigStock.com

90

PETS | Creature feature

August http://www.facebook.com/petsmagazine

You’ll have no problem identifying a

Boxfish, as they have a distinctively square

(you guessed it, boxlike) body shape. Their

unique shape is due to their skeletal frame,

which is a series of connected, hexagonal-

shaped bony plates, with gaps for the eyes,

mouth, gills, anus, fins and tail fin base, all

covered by thin skin. Their box-like form has

even inspired a luxury car design — in 2006,

Mercedes-Benz unveiled its Bionic concept

car, shaped after the streamlined Yellow

Boxfish. According to Mercedes-Benz,

“The Boxfish’s face is small in proportion

to its overall length, and its streamlined

surfaces encourage air to move over it,

without creating the turbulence that robs

aerodynamic efficiency.”

With its distinct

looks, the Boxfi sh

makes a unique

pet indeed. Mel

Hearse fi nds out

about caring for

this square-shaped

little fi sh.

BOX BOX The Boxfi sh is an easily recognisable breed.

BEAUTYBEAUTY

PLF070_pg090-091_Boxfish.indd 90PLF070_pg090-091_Boxfish.indd 90 6/29/2017 11:07:19 AM6/29/2017 11:07:19 AM