Sealife guideThe thornback cowfishLactoria fornasini
Last updated on 09/18/2024 at 10:37 PM
Taxonomy
Description
The thornback cowfish has a box-shaped body that resembles a chest. It is distinguished by its long spines located on its head above its eyes, as well as on the dorsal and posterior parts of its body.
The thornback cowfish displays a yellowish to greenish coloration with irregular patterns of bluish or brown spots and lines across its body.
Geographic range
The thornback cowfish is found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, especially in the Bali sea, from east Africa to the Bass islands.
Habitat
The thornback cowfish lives in coral reefs and seagrass beds, where it easily hides thanks to its patterns
Did you know ?
The thornback cowfish is a poisonous species of boxfish. Indeed, when stressed or threatened, it secretes toxins as a means of defense against predators
Unlike other fish, the boxfish’s body is covered with a rigid shell made of bony plates, which protects it like armor from predators but also limits its body movements. As a result, the boxfish moves more slowly by undulating its dorsal and anal fins.
Within the same family
Honeycomb cowfish
(Acanthostracion polygonium)
Reticulate boxfish
(Ostracion solorensis)
Scrawled cowfish
(Acanthostracion quadricornis)
Smooth trunkfish
(Rhinesomus triqueter)
Spotted boxfish
(Ostracion meleagris)
Spotted trunkfish
(Lactophrys bicaudalis)
Yellow boxfish
(Ostracion cubicus)
Discover also
Blue chromis
(Azurina cyanea)
Cottonwick grunt
(Haemulon melanurum)
Halfspotted grouper
(Cephalopholis hemistiktos)
Malabar grouper
(Epinephelus malabaricus)
Princess damselfish
(Pomacentrus vaiuli)
Singular bannerfish
(Heniochus singularius)
Striped remora
(Echeneis naucrates)
White eyed moray
(Gymnothorax thyrsoideus)
The marine species from Indo-Pacific
Blue tunicate
(Rhopalaea fusca)
Blueface angelfish
(Pomacanthus xanthometopon)
Bobbitt worm
(Eunice aphroditois)
Brownbanded bamboo shark
(Chiloscyllium punctatum)
Emperor angelfish
(Pomacanthus imperator)
Lemonpeel angelfish
(Centropyge flavissima)
Persian carpet flatworm
(Pseudobiceros bedfordi)
Thornback cowfish
(Lactoria fornasini)
Our latestUpdates
Thursday, May 7th 2026
Faroe islands
Discover the Faroe islands, a remote archipelago between Iceland and Norway known for its dramatic cliffs, colorful villages, and untouched Nordic landscapes. Find travel tips, itineraries, hiking guides, local culture, and inspiration to explore this unique destination in the North Atlantic.
Wednesday, May 6th 2026
The short-finned pilot whale
Discover the tropical pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), a highly social large cetacean from tropical and subtropical waters, specialized in deep dives in search of squid.
Thursday, April 23rd 2026
Where to see groupers in the Mediterranean ?
Discover where to see groupers in the Mediterranean: the best diving spots and protected marine areas to observe this iconic fish in its natural habitat.
Photo of the Day
Barbier rouge
(Pseudanthias squamipinnis)
