Scrawled cowfish (Acanthostracion quadricornis)

Scientific name: Acanthostracion quadricornis Linnaeus, 1758

The Scrawled cowfish (Acanthostracion quadricornis) is a marine fish of the family Ostraciidae.

Biology

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

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Acanthostracion quadricornis
Family: Ostraciidae (Boxfishes)
Order: Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and Filefishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 55.0
Common length: 20.0
Depth range: 80 m (262 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 80 m, usually 10 - 30 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Atlantic Ocean: in tropical and temperate waters. Western Atlantic: Massachusetts (USA), Bermuda, and northern Gulf of Mexico to southeastern Brazil. Reported from tip of South Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec = 112,536)