Scrawled cowfish (Acanthostracion quadricornis) fish species and information / pictures of Scrawled cowfish - Acanthostracion quadricornis

Scrawled cowfish (Acanthostracion quadricornis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Acanthostracion quadricornis

Common Name
Scrawled cowfish

Biology
Found in shallow water down to about 80 m, mainly in seagrass beds (Ref. 3696). Feeds on sessile invertebrates such as tunicates, gorgonians and anemones, as well as on slow-moving crustaceans, sponges (Ref. 3696), hermit crabs and marine plants (Ref. 13442). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Considered an excellent food fish; marketed fresh (Ref. 3696).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Puffers and Filefishes (Tetraodontiformes)

Family

Boxfishes (Ostraciidae)

Distribution

Region

Atlantic Ocean

Distribution

Atlantic Ocean: in tropical and temperate waters (Ref. 3696). Western Atlantic: Massachusetts (USA), Bermuda, and northern Gulf of Mexico to southeastern Brazil. Reported from tip of South Africa.

Range

43°N - 37°S, 98°W - 26°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

80 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 80 m (Ref. 26938), usually 10 - 30 m (Ref. 40849)

Trophic Level

3.02 s.e. 0.32 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

55.0 cm

Common Length

20.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec = 112,536)

Threat To Humans

Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 30303)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated