Scrawled Cowfish
Acanthostracion quadricornis
The scrawled cowfish, ''Acanthostracion quadricornis'', belongs to the Ostraciidae family and is closely related to boxfish and trunkfish. They range in size from 8-15 inches, with a maximum length of 18 inches, and can be found at depths between 6 and 80 feet.
It is common to occasional in Florida and Bahamas; occasional to uncommon in the Caribbean. It may occur in the Gulf of Mexico, north to Massachusetts, Bermuda and south to Brazil. It has distinctive features such as a scrawled pattern of bluish markings covering its body; a blue line runs from snout to anal fin and it has a sharp spine above each eye. This latter point distinguishes cowfish from trunkfish.
Overall it is coloured blue-green to yellow cast. However, it may darken, pale and change color. Significantly it has two sharp spines in front of anal fin. The scrawled cowfish lives in a wide range of habitats including grass beds. However it is wary. If disturbed it may remain motionless apparently relying on camouflage.
It is common to occasional in Florida and Bahamas; occasional to uncommon in the Caribbean. It may occur in the Gulf of Mexico, north to Massachusetts, Bermuda and south to Brazil. It has distinctive features such as a scrawled pattern of bluish markings covering its body; a blue line runs from snout to anal fin and it has a sharp spine above each eye. This latter point distinguishes cowfish from trunkfish.
Overall it is coloured blue-green to yellow cast. However, it may darken, pale and change color. Significantly it has two sharp spines in front of anal fin. The scrawled cowfish lives in a wide range of habitats including grass beds. However it is wary. If disturbed it may remain motionless apparently relying on camouflage.