Download Longhorn Cowfish Lactoria cornuta

Longhorn Cowfish
Lactoria cornuta
Size: The average size for a longhorn cowfish is approximately 16 inches in length.
Appearance: Cowfish belong to the family Ostraciidae and are closely related to
pufferfish and filefish. Cowfish species have hexagon-shaped scales that fuse together to
create a solid covering with small openings for their fins, gills and other organs but the
longhorn cowfish can be easily distinguished by its pair of spines extending from the
front of its head and two spines extending from either side of the lower end. Typical
coloration of longhorn cowfish includes a yellow to green background with white or blue
spots.
Range/Distribution: Longhorn cowfish can be found in the warm waters of the IndoPacific region.
Habitat: Longhorn cowfish can be found in bays and estuaries among weedy areas near
rocky areas, coral reefs, mud flats and sandy habitats.
Prey: Feeding mostly on bottom dwelling invertebrates, sponges, algae and even the
occasional smaller fish, longhorn cowfish can spit water to uncover prey items hiding
under the sandy bottom.
Predators: Longhorn cowfish predation by larger fish such as tuna has been
documented but these fish can secrete a toxin to poison potential predators.
Reproduction: Adult longhorn cowfish are typically solitary but can be found in pairs
when mating. Fertilization of the eggs is external and both the eggs and larvae are
pelagic, meaning they wander through the open ocean.
Conservation Status: Not evaluated by IUCN
Threats: Although the longhorn cowfish has not been placed on the Endangered Species
list and there are no current commercial cowfish fisheries, these fish are incidentally
caught in fishing gear, purchased for display in aquaria, and even dried and used to make
ornaments.
References:
1. Md Shahzad Kuli Khan, Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique, Mohammed
Ashraful Haque; New record of the longhorn cowfish Lactoria cornuta (Linnaeus
1758) from inshore waters of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh; Zoology and
Ecology, Vol. 23, Iss. 1, 2013
2. Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen, 1966. Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H.
Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. 941 p.
3. Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann, 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth,
Australia: Universitiy of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.
4. Smith, M.M., 1986. Ostraciidae. p. 890-893. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra
(eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
5. Hutchins, J.B., 1984. Ostraciidae. In W. Fischer and G. Bianchi (eds.) FAO
species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean (Fishing
area 51). Vol. 3, FAO, Rome.
6. Van der Elst, R., 1993. A guide to the common sea fishes of southern Africa. (3rd
Ed.). Struik Publishers, Cape Town. 398 p.