Longhorn cowfish

Lactoria cornuta

The angular body of the longhorn cowfish is armored with a bony plate beneath its scales.

LC

Red List
Least Concern

The longhorn cowfish  has a potent skin toxin that it uses to defend itself against other fish. It searches for its food—small invertebrates—by using a jet of water from its mouth to dislodge potential prey from the seafloor.

Taxonomy

family Ostraciidae, genus Lactoria (approx. 7 species)

Habitat

algae and seagrass beds, coral reefs

Behaviour and ecology

solitary, in pairs, or one male with several females; territorial

Diet

invertebrates, Algae, and Seagrass

Taxonomy

family Ostraciidae, genus Lactoria (approx. 7 species)

Habitat

algae and seagrass beds, coral reefs

Behaviour and ecology

solitary, in pairs, or one male with several females; territorial

Diet

invertebrates, Algae, and Seagrass

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