Lactophrys is a genus of boxfishes native to the western Atlantic Ocean. All trunkfish of the genus Lactophrys, secretes a colorless toxin from glands on its skin when touched. The toxin is only dangerous when ingested, so there is no immediate harm to divers. Predators however, as large as nurse sharks, can die as a result of eating a trunkfish.[1]
There are currently 3 recognized species in this genus:[2]
| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lactophrys bicaudalis (Linnaeus, 1758) | Spotted trunkfish | Eastern Caribbean | |
| Lactophrys trigonus (Linnaeus, 1758) | Buffalo trunkfish | Western Atlantic | |
| Lactophrys triqueter (Linnaeus, 1758) | Smooth trunkfish | the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and subtropical parts of the western Atlantic Ocean. | |