Longhorn Cowfish

Size and Looks

The fish is named the Longhorn Cowfish because of the two bull-like horns protruding out of its head, this trait makes it easy to identify. It also has two spikes coming out of its backend. They are also called Longhorn Boxfish or Horned Boxfish. They are tanish yellow in coloration with blue or white spots on their back. The longhorn Cowfishs's body is shaped like a box. It is usually around 4 in (10 cm) in length but can grow up to 20 in. In captivity, it usually only weighs no more than a few ounces, but large fish will weigh up to 1 or 2 lbs (0.5 to 1 kg). These fish live solitary lives. They lack pelvic fins and have a shell-like body. Another interesting feature of this fish is that they move their eyes independently like a chameleon.

Diet

The Longhorn Cowfishes are omnivorous and their diet consists of sponges, polychaete worms, mollusks, small fish, benthic algae, small organisms, and some microorganisms. Sometimes they hunt and find food by swimming to the seafloor and start to blow on the sand to uncover a hidden meal.

Ostraciidae

The Longhorn Cowfish belongs to the family Ostraciidea. This is a family of Boxfish and it contains around 25 species of fish within the family. They have hexagon-shaped scales that are fused together making the fish have a box-like body. This is a very interesting group of animals.

Environment

This fish lives in the tropics of the Indo-Pacific region. They also live on the Atlantic coast of southern Africa and in the Red Sea. The Longhorn Cowfish live in mostly reefs. They live in all types of reefs, these include reef lagoons, reef flats, and protected seaward reefs. They feed on some of the organisms that live along these reefs. They also live around rocky and sandy areas. They like water between 3.3-148 ft (1-45 m) deep. They might be able to survive in waters up to 328 ft (100 m) deep.

The Horns

The horns of these curious animals are mostly hollow and if they get damaged they will grow back in a few months. The horns are made from minerals and collagen fibers. The horns are probably used as defense from predators. They would make it so that it is hard for a predator to swallow because it would hurt the predator while swallowing. This is one of the adaptions that this fish has evolved over millions of years. They show up in both male and female fish.

Toxins

The Longhorn Cowfish is actually toxic to many animals. This is another defense that this fish has evolved. When the fish gets stressed out it will excrete toxins out of its skin to keep it protected. There are many reasons why this fish could get stressed. These reasons could be loud noises, flashing lights, or a predator or human messing with the fish. When it is stressed out it may make a grunting sound. The toxins of the fish are called pahutoxin. This is a toxin that is made from boxfish. These toxins are similar to sea cucumber toxins.

Swimming

These boxfish have a different way of swimming that has is named after these creatures. The swimming behavior is called ostraciform swimming. This unique way of swimming makes it so that it looks like the fish is hovering. These fish are very slow making them easily caught by hand.

Predators

Since these fish are quite slow they are very easy to catch, but the toxins and horns are very hard to eat. But there are still a few animals that can manage to eat these animals. These predators include sharks, Albacore, and Bigeye Tuna, along with other large fish. They are also affected by ciguatera poisoning.

Aquariums

The fish is very popular in aquariums and is often sold to home aquariums. Unfortunately, the fish needs a specific environment to flourish that is usually not offered in home aquariums. But in some places, they are provided the right needs to live a healthy life.

Sources:

28, TylerJanuary, and MarineBioJanuary 28. “Longhorn Cowfishes ~ Marinebio Conservation Society.” MarineBio Conservation Society, 22 Dec. 2020, https://www.marinebio.org/species/longhorn-cowfishes/lactoria-cornuta/.

“Longhorn Cowfish - Facts, Pictures & Habitat Information.” Animal Corner, https://animalcorner.org/animals/longhorn-cowfish/.

“Longhorn Cowfish.” National Aquarium, https://aqua.org/explore/animals/longhorn-cowfish.

You Are Being Redirected..., https://aquarium.org/animals/longhorn-boxfish/.

ZSLvideo. “Longhorn Cowfish | Curious Creatures.” YouTube, YouTube, 16 Oct. 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq2a5WrrQgE.

“Longhorn Cowfish.” Longhorn Cowfish (Lactoria Cornuta) - Pictures and Facts - Fish @ Thewebsiteofeverything.com, https://thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/fish/Tetraodontiformes/Ostraciidae/Lactoria-cornuta.

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