Eastern Smooth Boxfish
Anoplocapros inermis
Eastern Smooth Boxfish (Anoplocapros inermis) is a small deep-bodied boxfish from southern Australian waters. It is a benthic, uncommon species on soft or mixed bottoms; angling information is limited, so it is not considered a typical game fish.
Identification points
- Rigid box-shaped body with a smooth, rounded carapace
- Small terminal mouth and no obvious horns or prominent spines
- Pale to mottled brownish body with relatively plain patterning compared with many boxfish species
Habitat
Demersal on continental shelf and upper-slope soft sediments, often over sand, mud, or mixed rubble around southern Australia, usually in deeper offshore waters rather than inshore reef habitat.
Bait notes
Rarely targeted intentionally. If encountered by bottom fishers, small squid strips, fish pieces, or prawn baits on light-bottom rigs may hook it incidentally.
Behavior
A slow-moving bottom fish that forages near the seabed on small benthic invertebrates; like other boxfishes it relies on armor and toxins for defense and is not a fast-pursuing predator.
Caution
Not a food target; avoid handling roughly because boxfishes can be stressed easily, and do not eat unless local authorities and species-specific advisories confirm it is safe. Verify local regulations before keeping any boxfish.
Fishing notes
Fish deep-bottom rigs near sand-and-mud edges or mixed seabed where present; use small hooks and minimal bait if you are specifically trying to document catches, but most captures are accidental.