OSTRACIIDAE


Lactoria cornuta, FRLM 30701, 6.7 cm SL

Lactoria cornuta (Linnaeus, 1758)
Longhorn cowfish

D 8 - 9; A 9; P1 10 - 11. A pair of sharp, strong horns about twice eye diameter in length projecting anteriorly from front of head; a second pair of horns extending posteriorly from posteroventral corner of carapace. Caudal fin greatly elongate, one half to two-thirds of carapace length. Color: body yellowish brown with light blue spots on sides; dorsal, anal and pectoral fins pale; caudal fin yellowish with light blue spots. Size: maximum 50 cm, commonly to 30 cm. Distribution: widespread in the tropical Indo-West Pacific from South Africa eastward through Indonesia to the Marquesas Islands, northward to southern Japan.