Acanthostracion quadricornis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Scrawled cowfish

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Tetraodontiformes \| Ostraciidae
Synonyms	Ostracion quadricornis, Lactophrys quadricornis, Ostracion tricornis, ... more
Common names	Cowfish, Torito cornudo, Cofre, ... more

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Image of Acanthostracion quadricornis (Scrawled cowfish)

Picture by Randall, J.E.

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Aquamaps of Acanthostracion quadricornis

This map was computer-generated and has not yet been reviewed.

AquaMaps Data sources: GBIF OBIS

Main reference

Smith, M.M. 1986. (Ref. 3141)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator : Matsuura, Keiichi | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 55.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 6937); common length : 20.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3696)

Environment

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

Climate / Range

Subtropical; 43°N - 24°S

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.
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Short description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10. Dark markings on head and body; parallel bands on cheek. Pair of prominent spines projecting from in front of eyes suggests cow horns. Second pair of spines at lower rear corners of cuirass (Ref. 26938). Body deep, covered with hexagonal dermal plates (Ref. 37521).

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).


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Not Evaluated	Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 30303)

Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial


More information
Countries FAO areas Ecosystems Occurrences Introductions Ecology Diet Food items Food consumption Ration	Common names Synonyms Metabolism Predators Ecotoxicology Reproduction Maturity Spawning Eggs Egg development	Age/Size Growth Length-weight Length-length Length-frequencies Morphometrics Morphology Larvae Larval dynamics Recruitment	Other references Biblio Aquaculture Aquaculture profile Strains Genetics Allele frequencies Heritability Diseases Processing	Collaborators Pictures Stamps Sounds Ciguatera Speed Swim. type Gill area Otoliths Brains Vision

Tools
Biogeographic modelling \| Bio-Quiz \| E-book \| Field guide \| Identification keys \| Length-frequency wizard \| Life-history tool \| Point map

Special reports
Check for Aquarium maintenance \| Check for Species Fact Sheets \| Check for Aquaculture Fact Sheets

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Summary page \| Point data \| Common names \| Photos

Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

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


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)	High

Entered by Luna, Susan M.

Modified by Bailly, Nicolas

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Page last modified by : elaxamana, 15 July 2009

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