selim12 December 6, 2023 0 Comments

Written And Reviewed by:

The long-horned cowfish also called the horned boxfish, is a species of the family Ostaciidae, it’s known for its long horns resembling a bull’s horns. It’s typically a small yellowed fish with a few centimeters of length.

Scientific Name

Habitat

Diet

Lactoria cornuta

Indo-Pacific

sponges, polychaete worms from sand flats, mollusks, small crustaceans, and small fish

Animal Type

boxfish

Size

50 cm

Depth

surface to up to 50 centimeters

Table of Contents

Where Do they live:

they inhabit coral reefs in lagoons, reef flats, and bays in the Indo-Pacific region. They are spotted from the surface to up to 100 meters deep in coral reefs.

Size and Appearance Of The long-horned cowfish:

male and females display a yellow to olive base color with white spots.Females(length range from are larger than males 83-250 mm) are larger than males (65-155 mm). they lack gill cover, The hexagonal plate-like scales of these fish are fused together into a solid box-like carapace. They have large eyes, situated behind the horns. They also lack pelvic fins. The tail can be the same length as the body!

They have the capability of reconstructing their horns after they’re damaged.

Diet:

male and females display a yellow to olive base color with white spots.Females(length range from larger than males 83-250 mm) are larger than males (65-155 mm). they lack gill cover, The hexagonal plate-like scales of these fish are fused together into a solid box-like carapace. They have large eyes, situated behind the horns. They also lack pelvic fins. The tail can be the same length as the body!

They have the capability of reconstructing their horns after they’re damaged.

They are omnivorous, feeding upon benthic algae, various microorganisms, and foraminiferans that it strain from sediments, sponges, polychaete worms from sand flats, mollusks, small crustaceans, and small fish, able to feed on benthic invertebrates by blowing jets of water into the sandy substrate. They are good protectors of the coral reefs they live in.

The long-horned cowfish: Reproduction and lifecycle:

This fish forms harems with 3-4 females in each one. The females spawn shortly after sunset, or during the day when there is a large amount of cloud cover. The spawning season lasts from February to early October. The oval eggs of members of the Lactoria family hatch into the juvenile larvae. These larvae are distinct because they form the box carapace armor that is present on the longhorn cowfish.

Behaviour:

They are known for aggressive behavior when attacked releasing a deadly toxin called (pahutoxin); it unique among fish poisons(similar to sea cucumber toxins).

Cowfish possess a captivating ability that makes them seem to defy gravity as they gracefully glide through the water. They employ a distinctive mode of locomotion known as “Ostraciiform swimming,” a technique that involves the coordinated movement of their dorsal fin and pectoral fins. These fins act as their wings of elegance in the underwater world.

they are slow swimmers which makes them easy to approach by hand. When gently captured, they occasionally emit a distinctive and endearing grunting sound, adding a touch of charm to their already fascinating

Though they are solitary, mating happens throughout the year. Their lifespan is about two years.

Conservation Status And Threads:

They are threatened mainly by egg predators like labrids and Pomacentridae. Larger species in the family are able to ward off the egg predators, but the Longhorn Cowfish spawn close to the substrate in order to hide themselves and their eggs from the predators.

Cool Facts About Long-horned Cowfish:

-they are not known for sexual dimorphism( condition where sexes of the same species exhibit different morphological characteristics,males and females are almost identical)

–A box-like shape of the body

-They display a paired courtship just before or after sunset

-Larvae are pelagic.

-Longhorn Cowfish are also known for producing a distinctive grunting or croaking sound when captured or handled.

s FAQ’s:

Are long-horned cowfish reefs safe?

Longhorn cowfish are generally considered reef-safe, as they feed primarily on algae and small invertebrates. However, they may eat tube worms and can become a danger to invertebrates as they grow larger.

How big do longhorn cowfish get?

Longhorn cowfish can grow up to 12 inches in length, but in the aquarium, they usually stay under 16 inches even when fed the best diets possible.

Are cow fish good to eat?

it is worth noting that the skin of the Longhorn Cowfish is poisonous and when threatened, it will release a toxin lethal to other tank members, including other Longhorns.

What an amazing little tiny creature, if you love it as much as I do, don’t forget to follow deepseawonders on social media and drop any comments or suggestions you have!