Adult Long Horn Cowfish, Lactoria cornuta, are fascinating fish. Partly due to their peculiar shape. They are full of personality and are perfect for someone after something different in their marine tank.
Boxfish and Cowfish belong to the Ostraciidae family. Which comes from the Greek word “ostrakon” meaning “shell”. Members of this family have square shaped bodies. This is thanks to their rigid carapace which grants them protection from predators. Their tough armour consists of sutured bony plates or scutes. It also encases most of their body, only leaving gaps for the: eyes, mouth, fins, gills ect.
Adult Long Horn Cowfish Ecology.
These fish occur in the Indo-Pacific, around: East Africa, Japan, Lord Howe Island and the Tuamoto islands.
Long Horn Cowfish occur in a range of sheltered habitats, mainly in areas with fine sediment, such as mud or sand. However, they will also live around rocky reefs with algae cover. Young fish keep to small groups and range from river mouths to to coastal bays or mudflats. Adult Long Horn Cowfish are solitary.
Lactoria cornuta the Aquarium.
It is important to have plenty of nooks or crannies where your Adult Long Horn Cowfish can explore and feel at home. Keepers may want to invest in a jump guard to prevent accidents. Young fish are not the strongest of swimmers so be mindful the flow rate isn’t too high.
Adult Long Horn Cowfish are omnivores so do best when fed a varied diet. They will accept frozen Mysis shrimp and frozen brine shrimp. We enrich all our frozen food with seachem garlic guard and Atvitol vitamins. These are great for keeping fish healthy by providing them with the nutrition otherwise lost in frozen food. In doing so, these additives support their immune system and increase longevity.
These fish can also go for masstick that can be rubbed onto the rockwork or tank sides. In addition, they will graze on marine algae that can be stuck to the side of the tank with clips. Over time, Adult Long Horn Cowfish will eat a high quality flake food. They will also accept live foods, such as copepods and amphipods, that can be cultivated in attached refugium.
We adapt all our Adult Long Horn Cowfish to aquarium life before they leave us. We focus on their health. Most will also be eating frozen food before leaving us.
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