Fin's Fish Guide
The Boxfish (Lactoria cornuta) is a brackish-water fish of the family Ostraciidae that grows up to 46 cm.
Description
The longhorn cowfish is a striking boxfish of the family Ostraciidae widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific. The body is enclosed in an angular, box-like bony armour and bears two long, forward-pointing horns above the eyes and two behind the belly. The species is yellowish with blue spots and reaches about 46 cm. It lives on muddy and sandy bottoms in bays, harbours and estuaries and feeds on bottom animals that it blows out of the sand with a jet of water. When stressed it secretes a toxin; eating it is not advised.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Boxfish?
The Boxfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern. Box-shaped bony armour with long forward-pointing horns; secretes the toxin pahutoxin when stressed.
Where does the Boxfish live?
The Boxfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the western Pacific.
How big does the Boxfish get?
The Boxfish grows to a maximum of about 46 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.
Is the Boxfish dangerous to humans?
The Boxfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. Take care: this species can release a toxin into the water when stressed and larger individuals may carry ciguatera toxin. Do not eat it; avoid handling it unnecessarily and seek medical help in case of poisoning symptoms after consumption.
Is the Boxfish edible?
The Boxfish is not usually eaten.
More photos
Want the complete picture on the Boxfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Boxfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.
All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Lactoria
More from the family Ostraciidae
Want the complete picture on the Boxfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Boxfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.